Evaluating critical success factors for implementing renewable energy strategies in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Global awareness and commitment, in regards to climate change, access to water, and renewable energy deployment, has risen in the last decade. However, many countries are still locked in unsustainable practices, specifically in regards to energy, which results in damaging consequences not just for the country but for the world. Case in point, the Dominican Republic (DR), an island with immense renewable energy potential, a growing economy, and the financial aid of many international entities. Regardless of all this, the “business as usual” decision for energy strategies is based on fossil fuel. As a result, thousands of people are still without energy, the infrastructure itself is unreliable, and the cost of fossil fuel is 8% of the country’s GDP. In addition, there are blackouts, expensive tariffs for users, and an unstable energy grid. Therefore, this paper discusses and critically evaluates critical success factors for implementing renewable energy strategies in the DR. For this purpose, an extensive literature review was conducted, along with interviews with key actors in the renewable energy market of the DR. This resulted in an evaluation of the energy infrastructure, providing a clear view of the situation. Future work will involve creating a framework for the implementation of renewables.