Electricity in Dominican Republic in 2024
In 2024, the Dominican Republic's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for more than 80% of the energy mix, with gas and coal being the primary contributors at about 31% and 30% respectively. Low-carbon energy sources make up a smaller portion, around 19%, with solar and hydropower each contributing close to 7%, and wind energy providing just over 4%. This high dependency on fossil fuels poses challenges related to climate change and air pollution, highlighting the need for a transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, the Dominican Republic could look to countries like Denmark and Ireland, which have successfully integrated wind energy into their power mix, accounting for more than 50% and almost a third of their electricity generation, respectively. Investing in wind and solar infrastructures could significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, exploring nuclear energy as a sustainable option, as seen in France where it accounts for 68% of the electricity mix, could provide a reliable and consistent source of low-carbon electricity.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in the Dominican Republic shows fluctuations, especially in hydropower generation. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, there were modest gains interspersed with declines, most notably a significant drop in 1989. The 1990s saw slight improvements but also stability in growth. Moving into the 21st century, hydropower experienced modest changes with small increases and decreases. More notably in recent years, solar energy began gaining traction, with a steady increase in generation since 2022, indicating a promising step towards diversifying the country's clean energy portfolio.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.