President Luis Abinader inaugurated the new power plant on Manzanillo Bay, Montecristi on Friday, 27 March 2026. The 414 MW power plant is part of the US$1.7 billion power, port and industrial development in the northwestern province. Speaking during the inauguration of the first phase of the power plant, Abinader gave an overview of what is happening in Montecristi. He said the province is experiencing an unrivalled process of development and change.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Manzanillo Power Land 414 MW generating facility, which cost US$345 million and was financed through AFI Banreservas, the chief executive noted that this very large generating plant, along with a few others, will reduce the gap between electricity supply and the demand for the service.
The new energy facility, which operates on natural gas, will begin producing 200 MW but once fully operational is capable of producing 414 MW using a combined production cycle, making it one of the largest in the country.
New power generation stations are also planned for the area as Manzanillo Gas & Power with Manzanillo I and Manzanillo II with capacity for 840 MW.
While in Montecristi province, President Abinader also took part in the start of the tomato harvest in Guayubin, as well as the start of the spring rice harvest.
He also inaugurated an early childcare facility in Montecristi, and several new school projects including new classrooms, remodeled schools and new lab facilities.
What’s being built in Manzanillo
The development of the Manzanillo complex in Montecristi is a cornerstone of the Dominican Republic’s strategy to become a regional logistics and energy hub. As of March 2026, the project has transitioned from a master plan into a rapidly operational industrial ecosystem based on power generation, power and industrial installations.
Energy generation
The complex is designed to inject approximately 1,200 MW into the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI), significantly diversifying the country’s energy matrix and reducing dependence on high-emission fuels.
Manzanillo Power Land (414 MW): This natural gas combined-cycle plant represents an overall US$950 million investment. It integrates a 345 kV Pepillo Salcedo-Guayubin transmission line and a specialized gas pipeline connected to the bay.
Manzanillo Gas & Power (840 MW): A separate, larger project consisting of two combined-cycle blocks (approx. 420 MW each). In January 2026, the consortium (Haina Investment Co., Shell, and Enerla) secured US$1.067 billion in financing from a syndicate including Citi, JPMorgan, and IDB Invest.
Status: Currently 40% complete; first injections are expected in late 2027, with full completion by early 2028.
LNG Infrastructure: The project includes an offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) and a land-based terminal and storage capacity, intended to serve as a regional base for natural gas. The land-based terminal is designed with a storage capacity of 200,000 m3.
Offshore Storage (FSRU): The project also utilizes a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a capacity of 125,000 m3.
Port expansion and logistics
With support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Port of Manzanillo is being transformed into a high-capacity multimodal terminal.
• Multimodal capabilities: The expansion focuses on handling containerized cargo, bulk exports (particularly bananas from the Northwest), and a new cruise ship terminal to boost regional tourism.
• Strategic connectivity: The port’s deep-water natural bay allows it to accommodate large vessels, positioning it as a competitor to regional hubs in Panama and Cartagena for routes to the U.S. East Coast.
• Completion timeline: The primary port infrastructure is scheduled to be fully operational by mid-2027.
Industrial and economic impact
The complex serves as the anchor for the Manzanillo Industrial Park, modeled after the successful Tamboril Free Zone in Santiago de los Caballeros. Some 2,000 permanent jobs are expected to be created. The site also includes a regional airport.
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30 March 2026