Taken from Diario Libre
SANTO DOMINGO –The Dominican Republic will be the first country in the region to have a high-power fast-charging electric vehicle station. This is the first station dedicated solely to charging electric vehicles, with the capacity to simultaneously charge 30 hybrid vehicles using solar energy.
The information was provided yesterday by Rolando González-Bunster, president and CEO of Interenergy, who explained that the charging station is being built in Bávaro, Punta Cana, with an investment of approximately $7 million, not including the cost of the electric chargers. "People who charge there will be charging with solar power," he said.
He explained that the station, to be completed in July of this year, 2023, is powered by solar panels and includes spaces where drivers can buy food and supplies needed for their trip.
The executive assured that the charging station will be operational both day and night, thanks to the inclusion of storage batteries, which they expect will allow them to meet demand. Additionally, he said they are evaluating the integration of hydroelectric power as an alternative for nighttime hours.
"It's a process in which we try to include something new, because we don't know how much load will be demanded at night," said the CEO of Interenergy when asked by the press after his participation in the panel: Infrastructure, energy and ecological transition in Ibero-America, which took place today at the XIV Ibero-American Business Meeting, held at the San Souci Convention Center, in Santo Domingo.
In detailing the characteristics of the electric charging center, he said that the chargers are from Evergo, a company that has the highest innovations in national electrical matters.
electric vehicle fleet
By 2023, the Dominican Republic had approximately 8,000 electric vehicles, surpassing other countries in the region that began integrating hybrid vehicles first. He cited Argentina as having 1,000 electric vehicles.
Along with his assessment of the progress in sustainable transportation, he highlighted that, in addition to the country's natural advantages for generating renewable energy, there is a motivated business sector eager to boost the industry. "This country can do anything; what's lacking is political will," he asserted.
They repeat the sustainable model
González highlighted that the "sustainable living model" they seek to implement in Bávaro is similar to a strategy applied on Saona Island, where they installed solar panels to supply energy to the people who live there.
"We installed solar panels for the people of Saona Island and gave them electric stoves powered by solar energy. They no longer have to carry a gas tank to cook; now they cook with the sun," the executive said.
He added that the impact has been so positive that the community is now looking for initiatives to integrate more appliances into their daily lives to take advantage of solar energy.
