New refinery pitched as part of Dominican Republic energy roadmap

A new oil refinery in the northern area of the Dominican Republic would help reduce imports of derivatives, according to the proposed 2025-38 national energy plan of energy commission CNE. 

“Despite the progress in the generation of renewable energy, particularly in the national electrical system, dependence on imported hydrocarbons will continue to represent a high percentage of the total gross supply,” according to the roadmap, consultation for which has begun.

The 200,000b/d plant would be an option to consider “in the near future,” adds the plan, which said the refinery could also supply the Caribbean market and potentially the east coast of the US.

An expansion of the existing 34,000b/d Refidomsa refinery would not be feasible due to the lack of space, the document states.

Based on current trends, the plan forecasts that gasoline use in the Dominican Republic will hit 2,210ktoe (thousand tonnes of oil equivalent) in 2038, up 40% from 2022. 

Import and local production of derivatives (Source: CNE energy plan)

On the power front, the roadmap estimates that an additional 2,300-3,000MW will be needed for 2038 and highlights that system flexibility will become increasingly relevant as the share of renewables rises.

“Internal combustion engines have played a fundamental role and will continue to be vital in this new stage, where they will serve as a cold reserve and provide flexibility to the system. Appropriate incentives need to be developed to ensure that these investments continue to provide their services in the market.”

The roadmap is available here and consultation will run through the fourth week of January.