In the municipality of Esperanza, Valverde province, the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, inaugurated yesterday a solar park with an installed capacity of 90 megawatts (MW) and which will generate an estimated 200,000 megawatt hours (MWh) annually, with which it is projected to supply the demand of more than 80,000 homes each year.
During the event, the governor highlighted that in less than three years, 595 megawatts of renewable energy have been installed in various parts of the country, more than the total amount of renewable energy available when he took office. He stated that the clean energy available in 2020 was 427 megawatts.
"The most important thing is that the country has added 1,023 megawatts to date, mainly from solar and wind power, which is extremely important for all the goals we have set for ourselves as a government and also with our international agreements," Abinader stated.
The plant is the second largest in the country, after the 120-megawatt Girasol Solar Park, which is also owned by EGE Haina.
Abinader said that in less than three years in the Government he leads, some 400 MW of energy have been installed to continue growing generation, in a country that is demanding generation.
The head of state reported that another 1,179 megawatts of clean energy are currently in the concession and construction phase. He stated that most of that capacity will be ready between now and mid-2024.
The president defined the plans for the promotion, concession, and installation of the fountains in question, carried out jointly with the private sector, as a transformation.
The president's words were spoken during the inauguration ceremony of the Esperanza Solar Park, built by the Haina Electricity Generating Company (EGE Haina) with an approximate investment of USD$94 million.
The governor emphasized that the plant is part of his administration's strategies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
About the work
The project was built on a 180-hectare site. 25% of this area was preserved to conserve the area's endemic vegetation, maintain natural drainage, and minimize the impact of earthmoving during the project's development.
José A. Rodríguez Silvestre, general manager of EGE Haina, stated that with the Esperanza Solar Park the company reaches almost 400 MW of wind and solar generation capacity and that the objective is to move towards its goal of developing an additional 1,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030.
The Esperanza Solar Park comprises a total of 166,670 bifacial solar panels, which capture solar radiation to produce energy from both sides. These panels are equipped with a solar tracking system that rotates 104 degrees to follow the sun's movement, ensuring optimal use of the area's solar irradiance, which is higher than the Dominican Republic's average.
Another special feature of this power plant is that it houses a digital substation, the first and most advanced in the country, as well as a 13.1 km long transmission line at 138 kV, and also included the adaptation of a line field in the Navarrete substation to transmit the energy generated to homes and businesses.
Rodríguez Silvestre highlighted that the energy generated by this solar park will prevent the import of 330,000 barrels of oil each year and the emission of 125,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the country's energy security.
He explained that the hydrocarbon saved with the Esperanza Solar Park represents more than 25 million dollars per year, and also reduces the vulnerability associated with fluctuations in international fuel prices and avoids the uncertainty derived from their availability.
During construction, more than 800 people were employed, mostly local labor from the communities near the project.
This contribution is complemented by various initiatives, such as the construction and improvement of community infrastructure, which have initiated the company's ongoing collaboration with surrounding communities to promote their progress.
The event was attended by Ministers Antonio Almonte, of Energy and Mines; Víctor "Ito" Bisonó, of Industry and Commerce; and Luis Miguel de Campos, of Labor. Also participating were Eduardo Estrella and Alfredo Pacheco, presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, respectively.
