Solar Power Plant Replaces Fossil Energy in the Dominican Republic

The project activity consists in the installation of a 60 Megawatt photovoltaic Solar Energy Farm in the Monte Plata province in the Dominican Republic. The expected solar irradiation per year (with 1,490 kWh/kWp) is approximately one and a half times higher than in Switzerland. 100 Giga Watt hours (equals the consumption of 20,000 households in Switzerland) electricity will be produced per year thanks to this ideal solar radiation conditions. 

It is the largest solar power plant in the Caribbean and a first of its kind in the region. It produces renewable, local produce electricity for around 50,000 households in the Dominican Republic per year. Almost 70,000 t CO₂ will be reduced per year once the plant is fully constructed. This equals the burning of around 26 million liter fossil fuel.

The success of Monte Plata solar project increases local employment rate and raises the percentage of renewable energy for the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Quincy Lin, Chairman of GES

An assessment of environmental effects has been done. The owner is obliged to reforest outside the project area any if needed deforestation activity and to conserve an area next to a river adjacent to the project site. At least an equal amount of native flora is and will be replanted next to the project site and also a plantation of different plant species within the boundaries of the project site is mandatory. In addition, a visitor center will be installed next to the site to demonstrate renewable energy possibilities and to provide climate education. At least five percent of the income of carbon revenue will flow in a revolving fund managed by the community of Monte Plata dedicated for social and ecological activities and donations.

Five per cent of funds (community fund) has been used for the following activities so far (2021):

• Building of an educational centre on solar energy inside the Solar Plant
• Donation of a 100 kv photovoltaic power plant to the Central Hospital of the Forces Armed
• Recruitment of project workers in nearby locations 
• Building capacities to the students of the Residential Electricity Assistant from the ‘Centro de Capacitación Aquino Leyba (CECAL)’ with the purpose of knowing the Monte Plata Solar Photovoltaic Park and learning about the operation and impact of this type of systems
• Continuous exchange with different stakeholders such as the community impacted by the project sharing information of the project and its social and ecological activities

Thanks to support from myclimate, it was possible to increase the attractiveness of the project for investors and thus achieve implementation. The project activity is financed by GES and operated by Soventix. 

More Pictures on Facebook

This project contributes to 6 SDGs (as of end 2021):

Find out how myclimate reports these SDGs in our FAQ.

The following SDGs are verified by the Gold Standard:

5 per cent of the income from carbon credits goes into a community fund for social and environmental activities.

People are being trained on different aspects of the project, also with the help of the educational centre.

264,000 pieces of solar modules have been installed (equivalent to 50 football pitches). 265 GWh of renewable energy has been delivered to the grid until 2020. This means locally produced renewable electricity for around 155,000 households.

51 long-term positions have been generated (35 men and 16 women). Additionally, 36 security employees from an external company are being employed and 200 jobs were created during construction.

31,000 tonnes of CO₂ are saved per year.

500 trees have been recultivated.