With NG, they have a line that goes offshore where it connects with the supply ships. Coal would have to be imported into the DR as well.
With about 25% of the power generated being stolen~mostly by barrio homes, subsidizing small scale off-grid power seems like an option to explore. They can use 12v DC for lights, skip the need for inverters and use off the rack solar trickle chargers.
I have a $30 inverter that plugs into my car's cigarette lighter. Looks like a Starbuck's Coffee Cup. Not a huge amount of amps, but enough to run a laptop.