Top 10 solar projects in the Caribbean, Central America

The Caribbean and Central America are advancing efforts to incorporate non-conventional renewable energies (NCRE) to break dependence on more expensive and pollutive liquid fueled-power generation.

Falling technology costs and more competitive tariffs have added new impetus to the development of these clean alternative technologies.

Also Read BNamericas Electric Power Survey 2020

Important strides on the regulatory and legislative front also have spurred on developers, and work continues to address issues such as the grid impact of intermittent solar and wind dispatch.

A look at the BNamericas Project Profiles reveals the potential build-out of NCRE in these two subregions, particularly solar, with the top 10 early stage photovoltaic projects by capacity showcased below led by the Dominican Republic.

Clean power is forecast to supply at least 25% of electricity in this Caribbean nation in 2025 as mandated in the country’s renewable energies promotion law 57-07, according to a power generation investment planning study.

Other sizable solar projects are planned in Nicaragua, where lawmakers recently approved the participation of the country in the International Solar Alliance; in Panama, which has rolled out an energy transition agenda; and in Puerto Rico, which is renegotiating solar power PPAs.

Also Read Latin America and Caribbean on the Brink of Massive Solar Power Growth

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

DRG Dargy I and II photovoltaic park

Developer: DRG Energy

Proposed capacity: 203MW

Project phase: Early design and engineering

Photovoltaic Park EDP-Baní Solar

Developer: EDP Energías Renovables Dominicana

Proposed capacity: 200MW

Project phase: Early design and engineering

Girasol solar park

Developer: Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Haina

Proposed capacity: 120MW

Project phase: Advanced design and engineering

Natural World Energy solar park

Developer: Natural World Energy

Proposed capacity: 100MW

Project phase: Awaiting construction decision

Perávia Solar I project

Developer: I. E. Dr Projects I

Proposed capacity: 70MW

Project phase: Environmental and social evaluation

Perávia Solar II project

Developer: I. E. Dr Projects I

Proposed capacity: 70MW

Project phase: Environmental and social evaluation

Santanasol solar plant

Developer: AES Andres

Proposed capacity: 65MW

Project phase: Tendering

NICARAGUA

EPR solar 100MW photovoltaic plant

Developer: EPR Solar

Proposed capacity: 100MW

Project phase: Early design and engineering

PANAMA

Camarones solar farm

Developer: Fotovoltaica Sajalices

Proposed capacity: 100MW

Project phase: Early design and engineering

PUERTO RICO

Montalva Solar photovoltaic plark

Developer: PBJL Energy

Proposed capacity: 80MW

Project phase: Awaiting construction decision

BNamericas also is tracking recently granted solar power concessions for inclusion in the Project Profiles, such as El Guincho (83.6MWn) and Bayaguana (100MWn) in the Dominican Republic, and Couva (92.2MW) and Trincity (20MW) in Trinidad and Tobago.