The project represents an investment of around 78 million dollars. Once completed, it is estimated that the plant will generate around 110 million kilowatt-hours per year to cover the electricity demand of 80,000 people, the current population of the country’s eastern region.
The official sod-turning ceremony on site took place on 22 February and was attended by, among others, Angel Canó, President of the National Energy Commission (CNE) of the Dominican Republic and the Executive Vice-president of the Dominican Corporation of State Electricity Companies Rubén Bichara. Also present were the Senator for the Province of Monte Plata, Charlie Mariott, the Mayoress of the municipality of Guerra, Marcia Rosario, together with a number of authorities and personalities from the business sector.
DOMINION was represented in the ceremony by Area Energy Director Roberto Tobillas, who was accompanied by Emilio Martínez, Managing Director of BAS Corporation, the company developing the project and an associate of Dominion.
“This project represents a strategic milestone for energy supplies in the Dominican Republic and reflects the importance that the country's authorities give to the conversion of its energy matrix into a model based on renewables. Dominion will put its end-to-end capabilities at the disposal of this project for the design, planning, construction and management of the operation of energy generation facilities”, Mr Tobillas said.
The CNE President underlined the importance of committing to this kind of facility to reduce the Republic's energy dependence on fossil fuels. The CNE, which is charged with making the project viable, attaches strategic importance to this solar plant due to its impact on the productive potential of the area, considering it a model to follow in the production of renewable energies.
According to this body, the project also has considerable support from the communities in the area and the local authorities of San Antonio de Guerra.
