DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The huge coal-fired power plant at Punta Catalina on the south coast in Peravia province, is in the news, once again. From its beginnings, the facility has made headlines from the day it was revealed that the international tender process did not reward the lowest bidder.

Built during the past Danilo Medina administration, Punta Catalina is at present the most important power plant complex in the country. Yet, cost overruns, defects, constant issues with keeping the plant online, and now, a government audit, have sullied the image of what should be the shining star of the national electric grid.

On Friday, 5 September 2025, a report was released by the government accounting office known as the Chamber of Accounts, which details some RD$21 billion in unsupported and undocumented payments to contractors and media outlets. Because of this situation, the auditors could not...