Electricity in Dominican Republic in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption in the Dominican Republic was predominantly dependent on fossil fuels. Over 60% of the electricity generated came from fossil sources, with gas contributing around 8 TWh and coal providing about 6 TWh. Clean, low-carbon energy sources accounted for just 3 TWh, with wind generating around 1.3 TWh and hydropower contributing about 1 TWh. Comparatively, the country's electricity generation is lower than the global average of 432 watts per person, which can have adverse effects on lifestyle and economic development due to insufficient electricity supply to meet growing demand.

Suggestions

The Dominican Republic could significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from successful countries. For example, Brazil, which has similar economic conditions, generates almost 100 TWh from wind energy, indicating the potential benefits of expanding wind power. Additionally, countries like India and Australia have made substantial progress with solar power, producing 113 TWh and 45 TWh respectively. Moreover, the Dominican Republic can consider adopting nuclear energy, as seen in France, the United States, and South Korea, which generate hundreds of TWh from this reliable and sustainable source. Investing in wind, solar, and nuclear energy can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, addressing climate change and improving air quality.

History

Tracing back the history of low-carbon electricity in the Dominican Republic, hydropower has been the primary focus. The country saw fluctuations in hydroelectric power starting in 1976 with a moderate increase of 0.4 TWh, followed by inconsistent changes over the years, including significant drops in 1989 and 2019 with reductions of 1.2 TWh and 0.8 TWh, respectively. However, positive changes were also noted, such as an increase of 0.7 TWh in 2017. Recently, in 2020, there was a notable addition in low-carbon electricity from wind energy with an increase of 0.3 TWh. While hydropower has played a role in the past, the country needs to diversify its clean energy portfolio to include more sustainable options like wind, solar, and potentially nuclear energy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources