Power crisis in the Dominican Republic despite rising renewablesCEFR A2
19 Dec 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Rush Energy Drink, Unsplash
The Dominican Republic has increased renewable energy to 25 percent of its electricity mix, but problems in grid operation are causing waste and more use of fossil fuels. On August 19, 2025 the National Interconnected Electrical System reached a historic peak demand of 3,950 megawatts. A brief shutdown of the Punta Catalina 2 thermoelectric plant after maintenance failures contributed to a national supply crisis.
The president declared a state of emergency and on September 8 signed a decree to speed procurement and raise generation capacity. The system has also used curtailment to limit renewable output when generation was high or demand low. Between January and July 2025 curtailment reached thousands of MWh and exceeded 50 percent in June. Stakeholders propose enforcing the legal rules, improving planning, and investing in storage and transmission to ease the problem.
Difficult words
- renewable energy — energy from natural sources like sun and wind
- curtailment — when electricity production is reduced to avoid overload
- demand — amount of electricity people or systems need
- thermoelectric plant — power station that burns fuel to make electricity
- procurement — process of buying goods or services
- storage — places or systems that keep electricity for later
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which proposed solution would you support: enforcing legal rules, improving planning, or investing in storage and transmission? Why?
- How would a power supply crisis affect daily life in your town?
- Do you think increasing renewable energy is good even if the grid has problems? Why or why not?
Related articles
Local climate adaptation must be central to African planning
A new study warns that locally led climate adaptation must be part of national planning in Africa. It says efforts are fragmented, underfunded and often driven by external priorities, and highlights agriculture and early warning systems.
Indigenous groups at COP30 demand forest protection and rights
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, indigenous peoples and local communities asked for stronger protection of tropical forests, recognition of territorial rights, and direct access to climate finance. A GATC and Earth Insight report maps where extractive industries threaten forests and people.
