Trystan Casey
The Dominican Republic has a weak and overloaded transmission system, which has caused a prolonged electricity crisis and hindered economic growth. The country's electricity sector is dominated by thermal units fired by imported oil, gas, or liquefied natural gas, with an installed capacity of 3,238 megawatts. However, real generation is estimated to be lower, at 2,414 MW, and the country experiences regular blackouts, high operating costs, and large losses due to electricity theft and non-payment of bills. The government has implemented initiatives to reduce losses and improve the distribution network, with the goal of providing 24-hour electricity to all citizens. Additionally, the standard voltage in the Dominican Republic is 110-120 V, and power plugs and sockets are of type A and B, the same as in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Voltage | 120V |
| Dual Voltage Range | 110-240V |
| Installed generation capacity | 5,631.47 MW |
| Average peak demand | 3,312 MW |
| Annual per capita consumption | 1,349 kWh |
| Total electricity sold in 2005 | 3.72 TWh |
| Total number of electric power customers in 2016 | 2.172 million |
| Power generation sources | Thermal units, oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, fossil fuels, hydroelectric |
| Electricity supply crisis solutions | Small diesel generators, inverters, kerosene lamps, large power generators |
| Total installed capacity in 2006 | 5,518MW |
| Self-generation capacity in 2006 | 2,214MW |
| Transmission system | 940 km of 138kV single-line circuit lines |
| Distribution companies | EdeNorte, EdeSur, EdeEste |
| Electricity sector losses | US$1.2 billion per year during 2017-2021 |
| World Bank financing | US$505 million over ten years |
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What You'll Learn
Plug types and voltage
The electricity supply voltage in the Dominican Republic is 120V. If you are travelling to the country and plan to bring electrical appliances, you should check if they are dual voltage-rated. Such appliances will display 'INPUT: 110-240V' on the body or the power supply. If your appliance is dual voltage-rated, you will not need a voltage converter or transformer, and can simply use a travel adaptor.
If your appliance is not dual voltage-rated, you will need to use a single voltage appliance with a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely. Most voltage converters and transformers come supplied with plug adaptors. However, it is important to ensure that any appliance you intend to use does not exceed the maximum power rating (AMPS or WATTS) of the converter or transformer.
The electricity sector in the Dominican Republic has traditionally been a bottleneck for the country's economic growth. The country has experienced electrical outages lasting from several minutes to several hours, and the transmission system has been described as weak and overloaded. The World Bank has approved a new project to improve the electricity sector and cut distribution losses. This includes rehabilitating the distribution network, upgrading management technology, and reducing electricity outages. The Dominican government has also passed legislation to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources to electricity generation.
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Power supply issues
The electricity sector in the Dominican Republic has been a bottleneck to the country's economic growth. The country has been facing a prolonged electricity crisis, which has led to issues such as regular blackouts, high operating costs for distribution companies, and high retail tariffs. The transmission system in the Dominican Republic is weak and overloaded, resulting in system-wide blackouts. The distribution network, which is the responsibility of the state-owned company ETED, covers 88% of the population, with about 8% of connections being illegal.
The issues in the power supply are also due to high losses in the system. These losses are caused by old and overcharged power distribution lines, illegal connections, issues with meters and consumption estimates, and incorrect billing. The high losses have resulted in substantial budget transfers to the distribution companies, impacting public expenditure. The government has been trying to address these issues through initiatives such as the Program for the Rehabilitation of Electricity Distribution and Reduction of Losses, co-financed by the government and development banks.
The electricity generation in the Dominican Republic is dominated by thermal units, with 80% of the installed capacity being powered by fossil fuels. The historically high costs of fossil fuel imports have made renewable energy projects a priority for the government. The Dominican Republic has passed legislation to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources, with incentives for businesses developing renewable energy technologies. However, the electric power sector continues to face challenges, with electrical outages still occurring regularly.
The World Bank has also stepped in to support the Dominican Government's efforts in improving the electricity sector. The World Bank's project aims to rehabilitate distribution lines, improve metering and billing systems, and reduce electricity outages. The project has an estimated financing of US$505 million over ten years, focusing on improving access to reliable and environmentally sustainable electricity for the entire population.
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Electricity theft
The Dominican Republic has been plagued by electricity theft, which has cost the government and taxpayers billions of dollars. In 2009, a new law, 186-07, was passed to address this issue, with penalties including fines and prison sentences. This law was a response to the significant financial burden caused by electricity theft, which was estimated to have cost the government $740 million in 2008 alone.
In 2013, it was reported that energy theft and subsidy costs had amounted to US$1.24 billion in losses for electricity distributors the previous year. This figure included losses from irregular users, technical issues, and overloads on the grid and equipment. The problem has also been attributed to poor service quality, with distributors engaging in practices such as delays in restoring service and unauthorized suspensions of supply.
To combat electricity theft, the government has implemented measures such as installing meters in households and businesses, increasing the number of electric power customers, and improving the distribution network. These efforts have shown some success, with the Cash Recovery Index (CRI) improving to 66% in 2016, up from 45% in 2004.
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Government initiatives
The electricity sector in the Dominican Republic has traditionally been a bottleneck to the country's economic growth, with a prolonged electricity crisis causing regular blackouts, high operating costs, and very high costs for consumers. However, the government has initiated several programs and policies to address these issues and improve the electricity sector.
In 2001, the Dominican government enacted the Electricity Law (Law 125-01), which established a comprehensive regulatory framework for the sector. The law outlined the government's operational presence in the sector through three entities: the formerly integrated utility CDE, the transmission company ETED, and a hydropower production company, EGEHID. A new holding company, CDEEE, was established to own ETED and EGEHID and eventually substitute the CDE.
In 2002, the government created the National Program to Support the Eradication of Electricity Fraud (PAEF) to combat fraud and eliminate illegal connections and non-payment issues. In 2007, the Electricity Law was modified to criminalize electricity fraud, prescribing fines and/or jail sentences for offenders.
To reduce losses in the electricity sector and improve people's quality of life, the government initiated the Program for the Rehabilitation of Electricity Distribution and Reduction of Losses in 2009. This program is co-financed by the government, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and OFID's 'Energy for the Poor' initiative. The first phase of the program has successfully provided 24-hour electricity to 60% of customers of the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI). The second phase aims to cover half a million customers with illegal connections.
The Dominican Republic has also passed legislation to promote renewable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The Renewable Energy Incentives Law (57-07), passed in 2007, grants several incentives to businesses developing renewable energy technologies, including tariff exemptions and tax exemptions. The government has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by one-third of 2010 levels by 2030 and aims to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources in electricity generation to 25% by 2025.
The World Bank is also supporting the Dominican Government's vision for the sustainable development of the electricity sector. The World Bank has committed to investing US$505 million over ten years to improve access to reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electricity for the entire population. This project aims to rehabilitate power distribution lines, regularize clients with electricity consumption but no payment, replace and install new meters, and improve commercial and metering data management systems.
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High electricity costs
The Dominican Republic has experienced a prolonged electricity crisis, with regular blackouts, high operating costs, and very high costs for consumers. The country's electricity sector has been a bottleneck for its economic growth. The World Bank has stated that the revitalization of the Dominican economy depends on a reform of the electricity sector.
Electricity tariffs in the Dominican Republic are among the highest in the Latin American and Caribbean region. This is due to a combination of factors, including the country's reliance on imported oil, weak institutional environment, difficulties in pursuing large non-payers, high prices negotiated in power purchase agreements, and high commercial risks faced by generators. The high tariffs have resulted in consumers turning to alternative self-generation units, such as diesel generators and kerosene lamps. This self-generation capacity comes with its own set of high costs, including equipment purchase, maintenance, and fuel supply.
The transmission system in the Dominican Republic is weak and overloaded, often failing to provide reliable power. The distribution networks are dysfunctional, with high losses due to illegal connections and non-payment of electricity bills. The Cash Recovery Index (CRI), which measures the proportion of energy purchased by distributors that is paid for by consumers, is very low in the Dominican Republic. This indicates that a significant amount of electricity is not being paid for, contributing to the financial strain on the electricity sector.
The government has implemented initiatives to address these issues, such as the Program for the Rehabilitation of Electricity Distribution and Reduction of Losses, co-financed by the government and development organizations. The program aims to reduce losses in the electricity sector and improve people's quality of life. As a result, 60% of customers of the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI) now have access to electricity 24 hours a day. The government is also working on improving the transmission infrastructure to increase power capacity and provide more reliable electricity supply.
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Frequently asked questions
The electricity supply in the Dominican Republic is unreliable. There are frequent and prolonged blackouts, and electricity is not accessible to everyone.
The issues are caused by a combination of factors, including an antiquated grid, outdated software, high system losses, low bill collection, theft through illegal connections, and issues with meters and consumption estimates.
The Dominican government has been working to improve the electricity sector and has taken several decisive actions. The World Bank has also approved a new project to assist distribution companies in reducing losses, upgrading infrastructure, and improving technology.
The electricity supply voltage in the Dominican Republic is 120V. If you are travelling to the Dominican Republic and plan to use electrical appliances, you may need to use a voltage converter or transformer if your appliances are not compatible with this voltage.
