Power crisis in the Dominican Republic despite rising renewablesCEFR B2
19 Dec 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Rush Energy Drink, Unsplash
The Dominican Republic has raised renewable energy to 25 percent of its electricity mix, yet problems in grid operation are creating waste and increasing reliance on fossil fuels. On August 19, 2025 the National Interconnected Electrical System (SENI) reached a historic peak demand of 3,950 MW. A short shutdown of the Punta Catalina 2 thermoelectric unit after maintenance failures contributed to a national supply crisis. President Luis Abinader declared a state of emergency and on September 8 signed a decree to speed procurement and raise generation capacity.
System operators have applied curtailment to limit renewable output when generation is high or demand is low. From January to July 2025 curtailment ranged between 10,000 and 18,000 MWh and peaked above 50 percent in June. Experts note that curtailment forces renewable companies to stop selling energy and makes distribution companies buy more costly thermal generation, increasing emissions and costs.
Dominican law gives renewables injection priority under Decree 65-23 and Articles 199 and 202. The Operational Restrictions Verification Tests (VEROPE), developed in 2010, measure thermal plant performance and set the Technical Minimum Power (PMT). Coordinating Body data for the weekly program of September 6–12, 2025 show Punta Catalina 1 averaged 340 MW versus a PMT of 250 MW, and Punta Catalina 2 reached 360 MW versus a PMT of 277 MW. Critics argue that thermal plants operate with comfort margins above international standards, which reduces space for renewable generation.
Stakeholders propose enforcing the legal framework, improving planning and oversight, and investing in storage and transmission. Resolution CNE-AD-0005-2024 requires new projects of 20 MWac or more to include battery storage equal to at least 50 percent of capacity and four hours duration. The Coordinating Body says its programs and reports provide the technical information used in scheduling and operational restrictions.
Difficult words
- curtailment — forced reduction of electricity supplied from sources
- state of emergency — temporary government measures after a serious crisis
- procurement — process of buying goods or services
- VEROPE — tests that measure thermal plant performance
- technical minimum power — lowest stable output a plant must produce
- injection priority — legal rule that gives renewable energy precedence
- battery storage — systems that store electrical energy for later use
- emissions — pollutant gases released into the atmosphere
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could battery storage requirements reduce curtailment and help the electricity system?
- Do you think declaring a state of emergency and speeding procurement is an appropriate response to a supply crisis? Why or why not?
- What are the trade-offs between keeping thermal plants operating above technical minimums and increasing renewable generation?
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