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EH+

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Energy & Mining

Idalia Cabrera

CEO, EH+

Bio

Idalia Cabrera is a founding partner with over 21 years of legal experience, renowned for her expertise, discretion, and strong negotiation skills. She has built a distinguished career across various legal fields, leveraging an extensive network in business, politics, and law. In the energy and hydrocarbons sector, she serves as Executive Director of the Dominican Association of Fuel Distributors (Adodicode). As founder of EH+, she organised the First International Energy Panel with ambassadors in the Dominican Republic. She also writes on law, current affairs, and politics as a columnist for national media.

"EH+ is taking steps to focus on the internationalization of its platform because we recognize that energy issues are now part of everyday conversations."

TBY talks to Idalia Cabrera, CEO of EH+, about the Dominican energy sector, green energy, and investing in the country.

The Dominican Republic is better known for its tourism sector than its energy sector. Why was a publication like EH+ needed?

The Dominican Republic is indeed well known for its tourism sector, and that’s a fact. Thanks to this prominence, a key industry such as energy is emerging as a new player to further drive the country’s development. EH+ arrives at the perfect moment: the country already enjoys international recognition, and we, as a specialized media company, aim to project its potential on the global stage. Moreover, EH+ is taking steps to focus on the internationalization of its platform because we recognize that energy issues are now part of everyday conversations.

Major energy companies are shifting to green energy. How is sustainable development playing a role in the Dominican energy sector?

The Dominican Republic’s transition to sustainable energy generation is not a passing trend; it is a necessity. Major companies are not merely following a fad; they are making a commitment to the environment. This commitment extends beyond the public sector; the private sector is equally engaged. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is driving the sustainable development agenda in the country, setting an example for the region.

What does the future hold for the energy sector in the Dominican Republic in the coming years?

The future looks promising. So far in 2024, the energy sector has attracted the largest share of foreign direct investment, according to ProDominicana data. Undoubtedly, the leading forces will be wind and solar energy, and we will witness the launch of new projects focused on these renewable sources. One anticipated challenge lies in batteries and their storage; much work remains in this area. There is no doubt that the Dominican government and private sector will strive to expand the country’s energy matrix with projects that have a sustainable vision.

What lessons can the Dominican Republic learn from global energy leaders, and what unique strengths does it bring to the regional energy conversation?

The leading countries in the energy sector are those that have made significant progress towards the adoption of efficient, renewable and clean energies, with high energy transition rates (ETIs), such as China, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Switzerland, among others. The Dominican Republic, which has a completely different historical, structural and economic reality, must learn from these examples and consider several key aspects, such as long-term commitment of the State, assurance of financial resources, and coexistence of energy sources. At the regional level, the energy dialogue offers valuable opportunities for technical and financial cooperation. The Dominican Republic can take advantage of the lessons of countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, which have managed to efficiently balance their energy matrices, integrating fossil and renewable sources to achieve sustainable development in this sector. It is also essential to strengthen collaboration with regional financial organizations, such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), to promote innovative and sustainable energy projects.

What are the biggest challenges facing the Dominican Republic in meeting its energy needs during the transition to cleaner energy sources?

They must first ensure energy security through fossil sources such as natural gas, coal or oil. This will make it possible to lay the necessary foundations for a gradual transition to renewable energy sources, following the example of developed countries, especially those that are part of the European Union, as well as Japan. The Dominican Republic still faces challenges. Some of them include the need to update its legal and regulatory framework, improve the network infrastructure and the energy distribution system, the lack of highly trained human resources for sustainable energy development, and the promotion of the use of renewable energies in all sectors.

How would you assess the investment attractiveness of the Dominican energy sector and what reforms or measures are needed to attract more investment?

The Dominican Republic has conditions that make it favorable for investment in the energy sector. From a climate perspective, the country has an excellent level of solar radiation in specific areas, which favors solar energy projects, in addition to a strategic geographical location that allows taking advantage of constant winds in certain areas, which is ideal for wind energy projects. As for the regulatory framework and incentives, although it requires some updates, the country has a regulatory framework that supports renewable energies, such as Law 57-07 on Tax Incentives for the Development of Renewable Energies and Law 123-13 on Energy and Mines, among other regulations. Also, the growing energy demand, which the country is facing both for the tourism industry and for domestic consumption, offers an attractive market for investment in renewable energy. Lastly, our country’s strategic location in the Caribbean and access to various trade routes could mean the possibility of energy export and interconnection, which could open new business opportunities. To attract more investment in renewable energy in the country, it is essential to maintain a favorable environment that combines a clear regulatory framework, tax incentives, adequate energy infrastructure, and a real commitment to sustainability.

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