President Luis Abinader was in Montecristi, on the northwest corner of the country, for the inauguration of what is described as “the most significant electrical infrastructure project in the history of the Dominican Republic.” Abinader cut the ribbon for the 345 kV transmission line stretching 128 kilometers. The line links the natural gas power projects in Montecristi with Santiago, the second largest city.
This marks the beginning of a new era in the country’s energy sector. Previously, natural gas was only available on the southern coastline.
The importance of the project is also in its national strategic worth as it gives the Dominican Republic an alternate natural gas power source if a catastrophic event impacts the natural gas storage and supply in the south coast.
At the same time, the electrical substation of the Manzanillo Power Land project was officially opened. The Presidency explains that the substation was designed with a nominal capacity of 414 MW.
During the inauguration ceremony, President Abinader called the project a milestone in both investment and the capacity to stabilize the energy system across the northern region.
“This is truly a landmark achievement. It’s the most important electrical transmission project we’ve ever undertaken,” he stated. He emphasized that the new infrastructure will help stabilize the electricity supply in the North and lay the groundwork for future generation projects — including an 800 MW plant scheduled for completion between late 2027 and early 2028.
The President stressed that this project is part of a comprehensive transformation of the national electrical system, covering both transmission and generation. The goal is to deliver a more reliable and efficient energy service to the country.
Jaime Santana Bonetti, president of Energía 2000, noted that the transmission line was designed to meet the highest technical standards. He explained that it will provide more reliable and competitive energy to industries, businesses, and communities throughout the North, creating a more robust and equitable national grid.
Key project details: 345 kV transmission line
The 345 kV double-circuit transmission line spans 128 kilometers and consists of 321 towers spaced every 400 meters. It connects power generation projects in Montecristi—including the 414 MW Manzanillo Power Land plant—with the National Interconnected Electrical System (SENI). The connection point is the El Naranjo substation in Santiago province.
Developed by Energía 2000 in partnership with the Dominican Electricity Transmission Company (ETED), and built by Elecnor, the project required an investment of over US$147 million.
The Manzanillo Power Land electrical substation is engineered to handle 414 MW. Equipped with cutting-edge protection, control, and transformation technologies. The substation ensures efficient energy evacuation and enables the integration of over 1,200 MW of natural gas-based generation into the national grid.
These advancements reinforce Manzanillo’s position as a central energy hub in the Caribbean, in line with the government’s vision of a modern and sustainable energy system.
President Abinader visited the Port of Manzanillo to inspect construction progress. He also hosted a lunch meeting with local business leaders.
During his visit to Montecristi, President Abinader also attended the inauguration of the first Banreservas office in Manzanillo, Montecristi.
He called on private banks to follow suit and establish a presence in Manzanillo, highlighting the area’s ongoing growth and investment opportunities.
He added that Banreservas’ decision to open a branch was not only driven by its role as a state bank, but also by thorough studies confirming the region’s economic viability—an initiative directly supported by his administration.
The new 270-square-meter branch—featuring an ATM, drive-thru service, and a full-service team—is part of a larger plan to expand the bank’s presence in strategic areas. With this addition, Banreservas now has six branches in Montecristi and 44 new locations since 2020, including three international offices. The expansion aims to support the economic development of Manzanillo, Guayubín, and El Naranjo.
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Presidency
10 July 2025