Dominican Republic’s Electricity Capacity Surpasses 7,600 MW in 2026

The Dominican Republic’s installed electricity capacity has grown by more than half since 2020, according to Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos. He told the American Chamber of Commerce that capacity rose from about 4,921 megawatts to more than 7,600 MW in 2026.

Maximum demand exceeded 4,300 MW in July 2026. Santos said the expansion of solar and wind generation creates an opportunity for the country, but also brings new demands for operating the power system.

“The incorporation of solar and wind generation must be complemented by firm generation, storage, transmission infrastructure and technologies capable of responding continuously to demand, with the goal of building a more reliable, diversified, resilient and efficient system,” he said.

Santos described cooperation between the Dominican Republic and the United States as a way to support knowledge transfer, technical assistance, training and stronger institutions. He also highlighted nuclear technology beyond electricity generation, including possible uses in medicine, agriculture, water-resource management, environmental monitoring, scientific research and industry.

The minister said small modular reactors are expanding international discussion because of their smaller scale, flexibility and ability to generate continuously alongside renewables. For the Dominican Republic, however, he said the technology requires long-term study and evaluation, not an implementation decision. The bilateral agreement does not mean the country has chosen to build a nuclear plant, approved a project, selected a technology or committed investment.

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The incorporation of solar and wind generation must be complemented by firm generation, storage, transmission infrastructure and technologies capable of responding continuously to demand, with the goal of building a more reliable, diversified, resilient and efficient system.