Minister Santos affirms projections for 2025 confirm energy diversification

The following is a machine translation of a Ministry of Energy and Mines release

SANTO DOMINGO. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, announced this Thursday a projection that places renewable generation at 25% of the national energy matrix by 2025; while proposing to accelerate the process of rural electrification of more than 64 thousand homes in the country.

During the discussion entitled Perspective of the Electric Sector for 2025, organized by the Dominican Association of the Electric Industry (ADIE), Santos highlighted that solar energy will be the main driver of this change.

Speaking about transmission initiatives, Minister Santos said that an investment of US$450 million is expected for transmission lines and substations for 2025-2028.

Among the projects he mentioned the 345KV transmission lines that will run through Pepillo Salcedo, El Naranjo and Guayubín, as well as the 138 KV transmission lines of Cruce Cabral and 15 of Azua, Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada, Playa Dorada, Río San Juan and Gaspar Hernández, among others.

Speaking about distribution, he said that distributors are considering implementing short-term strategies such as the massive purchase of transformers, meters and the purchase of power transformers.

The incumbent added the improvement and expansion of remote measurement, the fight against electrical fraud, the repowering of networks and substations, specifically a total of 26 substations to be intervened by 2025 and the improvement in response times in service requests, which involves an investment of at least US$150 million.

According to him, its share in generation will rise from 8% currently to 17% next year, while wind energy will increase from 6% to 7%.

In contrast, Santos said traditional sources such as fuel oil and coal will experience a notable decline, projecting that fuel oil-based generation will fall from 8% to 4%, and coal-based generation from 30% to 24%.

Commitment to rural electrification

During the discussion, Santos pledged to accelerate electrification, stating that there are 64,014 households in the country without electricity, which represents 1.72%.

Regarding the regulatory issue, the Minister of Energy and Mines said that an update of the regulations is planned to further encourage investment in renewable energy, in an environment of energy security and stability.

He explained that new policies and regulatory frameworks will be promoted to facilitate the development of clean energy projects, guaranteeing a competitive and sustainable environment that attracts both national and foreign investments.

He also stressed that these actions are in line with the country's commitments regarding energy transition and climate change.

Natural gas: pillar of the energy transition

The minister noted that natural gas will continue to be a key fuel in the energy transition, maintaining its contribution at 42% of the generation matrix.

Meanwhile, hydroelectric and biomass will maintain their current levels, at 5% and 1%, respectively, in compliance with Law 57-07 on Incentives for Renewable Energy.

"We are planning a more diversified energy matrix, very different from that of previous years, when fossil fuels predominated," said Santos Echavarría during the event, held at a hotel in the National District.

Clean energy towards 2030

The official also highlighted that renewable sources currently represent approximately 18% of the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI). According to the goals of the National Development Strategy, by 2030 they should reach 30%.

Santos also stated that the priorities of the Dominican electricity sector include universal access to electricity services, improving the quality and reliability of supply, increasing energy efficiency and diversifying the matrix. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutions, developing a competitive electricity market and guaranteeing the financial sustainability of the sector.

The discussion was attended by the Vice Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition, Betty Soto Viñas; Rafael Gómez, Vice Minister of Energy; Alfonso Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Nuclear Energy; Roberto Herrera, President of ADIE; Edward Verás, Director of the National Energy Commission (CNE); Manuel López San Pablo; General Manager of the SENI Coordinating Body and Andrés Astacio, Superintendent of Electricity (SIE), as well as representatives of the energy and business sectors.