Joel Santos states that the country's projected economic growth demands new, secure, and reliable sources of supply
SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican government is analyzing new options to strengthen the national electricity system, including nuclear energy, an alternative that could help meet the growing demand and support the Dominican Republic's economic expansion prospects.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, stated that the country must explore other methods of electricity production that will allow it to meet the needs that economic development will bring in the coming years.
Santos explained that the aspiration to double the size of the Dominican economy in the next 15 years poses significant challenges in terms of energy supply.
In that context, he argued that, in addition to continuing to expand the sources that currently make up the electricity matrix, it is necessary to study alternatives capable of offering stability, security and reliability to the system.
The official addressed the issue during the Regional Workshop on Implementation and Reporting under the Additional Protocol, held in the Dominican Republic with delegations from different Latin American nations.
The United States is committed to cooperation
The event also served as a platform to address the strengthening of international ties regarding the civilian use of nuclear technology.
The United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Leah Francis Campos, highlighted her nation's interest in expanding civilian partnerships related to this field and emphasized the United States' track record in nuclear security, physical protection, and non-proliferation.
The diplomat noted that Washington seeks to support its allies through technological solutions that allow the development of nuclear capabilities under strict protection and control parameters.
Exchange of technical knowledge
The Deputy Minister of Nuclear Energy, Gaddis Corporán, valued the meeting as a space to exchange experiences, good practices and challenges among the attending delegations.
He explained that this type of initiative allows for raising the specialized training of the professionals involved and establishing permanent channels of coordination between the institutions linked to this area.
Laura Fresco, representative of the United States Department of Energy, highlighted the Dominican Republic's cooperation in regional efforts aimed at strengthening the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The role of the Additional Protocol
The Additional Protocol complements the safeguards agreements and gives the IAEA additional tools to verify that nuclear materials and activities carried out by States are intended solely for peaceful purposes.
During the day, the delegations shared their experiences on the implementation of this instrument and the procedures used to provide information to the international organization.
Preparing for new possibilities
At the conclusion of the activity, certificates were given to the members of the delegations, who reiterated their willingness to maintain cooperation regarding the knowledge and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
For the Dominican Republic, this process represents an opportunity to continue developing technical and institutional capacities that will allow it to analyze the potential of atomic energy in different sectors, including its eventual use to produce electricity.
What is nuclear energy and how is it obtained?
Nuclear energy is the energy released from the nucleus of atoms when they split or fuse. It is obtained from the energy stored in the nucleus of atoms, which can be released through two main processes: nuclear fission and fusion.
Nuclear fission: how does it work?
Fission involves splitting a heavy nucleus, such as that of uranium, into smaller parts. This process releases a large amount of heat, which is currently used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.
Nuclear fusion: a developing technology
Fusion occurs when two light nuclei combine to form a larger one. The process can release a considerable amount of energy, but its application for generating electricity is still in the research and development phase.
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