The DR is lagging well behind Central American countries in the production of energy from renewable sources.
A report in El Dia warns that the government could reduce the incentives being offered to attract investment in renewable energy.
El Dia reports that according to the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), the national grid sources its power from 52% generated with fuel oil; 29.1% with natural gas; 15.1% water-powered, 2.2% coal-fired and 1.7% wind energy, or barely 10% in renewable energy. By contrast renewable energy percentages are Costa Rica 77%, Honduras 58%, Panama 57%, Nicaragua 54%, El Salvador 50% and Guatemala 42%.
The report says that renewable energies are a relevant competitive advantage in those countries. According to the report, 21 wind farm projects are under study, seven have been approved and five are in operation supplying 604 megawatts in Central America.
El Dia reports that in the Dominican Republic, the National Energy Council is sitting on approving the following concessions for wind farms: Matanzas, Bani, Parque Matafongo n Grupo Eolico Dominicano, Villa Vasquez, Montecristi, Parque Guanillo, Parque Eolicos del Caribe with 50 megawatts; and Maimon and Imbert, Puerto Plata, Jasper Caribbean Windpower with 115 megawatts.
Los Guzmancitos, Puerto Plata, Parque Los Gumancitos with 99 megawatts.
Several solar energy projects are also awaiting approval: Monte Plata, Electronic JRC with 30 megawatts; Guayubin, Montecristi, Montecristi Solar with 56 megawatts; and La Victoria, Santo Domingo, Desarrollos Fotovoltaicos, 50 megawatts.
El Dia warns that National Energy Council director Juan Rodriguez Nina has hinted of changes in government incentives for renewable energy.
Meanwhile, the Medina administration has thrown its support and resources behind a coal-fired power plant under construction in the southwestern province of Peravia.