State Economy
The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola and is bordered by Haiti, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The population of the Dominican Republic is approximately 11.16 million people[1].
In 2022, the Dominican Republic’s economy was ranked 68th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP)[2]. The nation’s economy is dependent on the export[3] of gold, medical instruments, rolled tobacco, low-voltage protection equipment, ferroalloys, and cotton fabrics.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, the Dominican Republic signed the Paris Climate Agreement[4], committing to a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2010 levels by 2030.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2020, 100% of the people in the Dominican Republic had access to electricity[5]. In 2022, the Dominican Republic’s utilities used natural gas (36.4%), coal (25.9%), oil (20.5%), and renewable energy (17.2%) to generate electricity[6]. Wind, hydropower, and solar are the primary types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in the Dominican Republic.
Renewable energy developments in the Dominican Republic include:
- 50 MW Solar Project – In May 2023, Dominican Republic company, LCV Ecoener Solares Dominicana commenced work on the Planta Solar Photovoltaica Payita 1 project at a site approximately 75 miles north of the nation’s capital Santo Domingo.
- 50 MW Solar Project – In May 2023, Dominican Republic company, Renewable Energy World Dominicus commenced work on the Parque Solarat a site approximately 50 miles east of Santo Domingo.
- 48 MW Solar Project – In May 2023, Dominican Republic company, Cotoperí Solar FV commenced work on the Cotoperí Solar I Photovoltaic Park project at a site approximately 75 miles east-northeast of Santo Domingo.
Conclusions
The Dominican Republic imports all of the nation’s fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for power generation and transportation. In 2021, the Dominican Republic[7] imported U.S. $1.38 Billion for refined petroleum and U.S. $964 Million for liquified natural gas (LNG).
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
The Dominican Republic has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources including onshore wind, solar, offshore wind, and biomass. Volatile fossil fuel prices have now accelerated solar development in the Dominican Republic.
Jack Kerfoot
Website “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics.
[1] Dominican Republic Population (2023) – May 26, 2023, www.worldometers.info
[2] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2022 – Worldometer
[3] The Observatory of Economic Complexity – Dominican Republic Imports
[4] Carbon Brief “Paris 2015: Tracking Country Climate Pledges”
[5] The World Bank Group, Access to Electricity (% of Population – Dominican Republic
[6] Our World In Data, Dominican Republic: Energy Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser
[7] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Dominican Republic Imports