The market reaction has been emphatic. The renewable generation auction with storage launched by the Dominican Republic has far exceeded expectations, attracting 32 solar PV and wind power projects registered under tender EDES-LP-NGR-01-2025.
Together, these proposals represent around 2,960 MWp, almost five times the capacity on offer, positioning this process as the most competitive renewable energy auction ever held in the country.
The tender, coordinated by the state-owned electricity distribution companies (Empresas Distribuidoras de Electricidad, EDES), will award 600 MW through long-term power supply contracts, strengthening investment in renewables and grid-scale energy storage.
According to the official tender documents, the process began on 14 August 2025 and will conclude on 27 May 2026, when the final contracts are scheduled to be signed.
Strong local and international developer interest
From the opening of the registration phase, both local and international developers submitted a large number of bids. Many of them have prior experience across Latin America and the Caribbean, and all proposals comply with the new technical requirements, notably the mandatory integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance grid stability.
Key milestones in the timetable include:
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20 February 2026: opening of technical bids
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7 April 2026: announcement of shortlisted financial offers
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27 April – 5 May 2026: award decisions
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27 May 2026: final closing and contract signing
Beyond the calendar, what has drawn most attention is the scale and diversity of the projects submitted.
Regional distribution of proposed capacity
The Eastern Region leads in terms of offered capacity, with 1,165.7 MWp, driven by projects such as Helios Solar Park, Mella Solar Project 1, Redsolar Energy Green, Las Parras Energy and two solar parks promoted by Washington Capital, among others.
It is followed by the Northern Region, with 1,038.2 MWp, where the four phases of Guayubín Solar, Ardavín Solar, Taino I and the only wind project in the tender—Esperanza Wind Farm—stand out.
The Southern Region contributes 476.1 MWp through initiatives such as Caribe Farms Solar, Girasol Phase II and Matafongo. Finally, the North Zone adds a further 281.2 MWp with Dicayagua Solar Park and Dominicana Azul.
| Region | Project / SPV | Peak Capacity (MWp) | Nominal Capacity (MWn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Helios Solar Park | 111.2 | 92.4 |
| East | Mella Solar Project 1 | 143.9 | 99.0 |
| East | Redsolar Energy Green | 99.0 | 79.6 |
| East | Santa Clara Energy Group | 84.0 | 67.7 |
| East | Las Parras Energy | 317.9 | 248.4 |
| East | Jambolán Solar | 20.7 | 18.4 |
| East | ECO SUR Solar | 25.3 | 20.1 |
| East | Esperanza II Solar | 60.0 | 48.3 |
| East | El Guincho Solar PV | 75.0 | 65.0 |
| East | Hatored Energy Green | 85.4 | 66.8 |
| East | Washington Capital Solar Park 4 | 71.7 | 48.1 |
| East | Washington Capital Solar Park 5 | 71.7 | 48.1 |
| North | Ardavín Solar | 101.6 | 83.4 |
| North | Guayubín Solar I | 71.5 | 44.7 |
| North | Guayubín Solar II | 71.5 | 44.7 |
| North | Guayubín Solar III | 100.0 | 61.9 |
| North | Guayubín Solar IV | 71.5 | 44.7 |
| North | Esperanza Wind Farm | 60.0 | 48.3 |
| North | Botoncillo Solar PV | 55.9 | 44.2 |
| North | Taino I Solar PV | 101.0 | 84.7 |
| North | Dominicana Azul II Solar | 124.2 | 96.8 |
| North | Pimentel Energy | 151.9 | 119.6 |
| North | Payita 2 Solar PV | 60.0 | 50.0 |
| North | Solsur Solar PV | 69.0 | 50.0 |
| South | Montecristi Solar Phase II | 115.9 | 105.6 |
| South | Caribe Farms Solar I | 110.1 | 95.0 |
| South | Peravia II Solar PV | 70.0 | 70.0 |
| South | Girasol Solar Phase II | 60.0 | 48.3 |
| South | Matafongo Solar | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| South | Tornasol Solar | 70.0 | 48.3 |
| North Zone | Dicayagua Solar Park | 180.0 | 145.0 |
| North Zone | Dominicana Azul Solar | 101.2 | 82.9 |
| Total | All projects combined | 2,961.1 | 2,319.8 |
Storage requirements set a new regional benchmark
The tender has not only attracted volume but also introduced new technical conditions. For the first time, the Dominican Republic requires a specific regulatory framework for energy storage, which all projects must comply with.
The regulation defines injection curves, contingency response requirements, SCADA system integration and technical validation by equipment manufacturers. Industry experts have welcomed the move, noting that mandatory storage establishes a new standard for the Caribbean and Central America.
Given the scale of interest, several market players have already suggested that the 600 MW auctioned could be increased or that a second round could be launched in the coming months. The country’s power system expansion plans and the need to replace fossil-fuel generation add weight to this argument.
In parallel with the tender process, the government has issued a key technical update for energy storage systems. The new guidelines redefine minimum installed capacity, operational integration with the grid, response times during critical events and performance data reporting requirements.
This update raises the technical bar and aims to ensure that battery storage acts not merely as backup, but as an active grid resource, delivering stability, predictability and improved quality of service across the Dominican electricity system.
