IDC Energía is moving forward with the Taíno I Solar Park and is preparing two new hybrid megaprojects in the Dominican Republic , with which it will seek to expand its participation in the upcoming renewable generation and storage tenders.
In an exclusive interview with Energía Estratégica , Rafael Jáquez , authorized representative of IDC Energía , revealed that Taíno II and Quisqueya Verde will add 197.34 MW of nominal solar capacity and 395.2 MWh in battery systems .
“Storage is the central pillar of our strategy. At IDC Energía, we no longer conceive of large-scale renewable projects without BESS,” said Jáquez.
The company announced these developments after winning the Dominican tender with mandatory storage , a process that received proposals for 1655 MWp against an initial demand of 600 MW .
Finally, 325.69 MW of new renewable capacity were allocated, along with BESS systems equivalent to 50% of the contracted power. The remaining demand was not awarded because the bids exceeded the tender's reference price. Among the five winning developers, IDC Energía secured 84.70 MW for the Taíno Solar I project.
“Being awarded the contract represents the consolidation of our long-term vision: to lead the energy transition in the Dominican Republic by guaranteeing not only clean energy, but firm and manageable energy,” said the authorized representative.
Jáquez explained that the main difference in the offer was in the technical and financial structuring, since the model considered the degradation of the equipment, the charging and discharging cycles and the progressive replacement of capacity during the 15 years of the energy purchase agreement .
“We understood from the outset that integrating battery energy storage (BESS) is not simply 'adding batteries' to a solar park,” the executive warned.
The optimization allowed for a competitive rate without compromising bankability. The company structured the project using financial models capable of predicting the asset's performance throughout the contract term.
Taíno I is expected to become operational by mid-2028
The Taíno I contract established a 24-month period to achieve commercial operation , scheduled for mid-2028.
During the next 12 months, IDC Energía will concentrate its efforts on achieving financial closure and formalizing the engineering, procurement and construction contracts under a turnkey model.
The implementation schedule anticipates completing 30% of the civil and metalworking works during 2027, and then the remaining 70% . Following this, the photovoltaic modules, inverters, transformers, and containers for the BESS system will arrive at the site.
With the main equipment installed, the company will begin the commissioning and testing required by the Coordinating Body of the National Interconnected Electric System .
In addition to Taíno I, IDC Energía is working on a portfolio that will significantly increase its presence in the Dominican market.
The Taíno II Solar Park will have a power of 126.5 MWp and 98.67 MW nominal in alternating current , along with a BESS system of 49.5 MW for four hours , equivalent to 197.6 MWh.
For its part, Quisqueya Verde will have 125.6 MWp, 98.67 MW nominal and another storage system of 49.5 MW and 197.6 MWh .
Both initiatives will total 252.1 MWp solar, 197.34 MW nominal and 395.2 MWh of storage .
IDC will also incorporate an additional 10% of BESS capacity on top of the nominal value in each plant, reserved exclusively for the provision of auxiliary services.
New tenders and the challenge of remunerating BESS services
Dominican authorities are preparing a new tender to contract the approximately 300 MW that were not awarded in the first process. They are also planning a specific call for bids to incorporate 200 MW of BESS (Basic Energy Storage System) into existing solar parks .
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The initiative seeks to strengthen the system's firm capacity, accelerate the installation of batteries in operational assets, and prevent all expansion from depending on new greenfield projects.
IDC Energía confirmed that it intends to compete in these processes with Taíno II, Quisqueya Verde and other solutions based on manageable energy blocks: “ We have the vocation to be a leading player .”
The technological proposal will maintain systems with a duration of four hours , grid-forming capacity, and an additional margin for auxiliary services.
The company believes that the upcoming tenders respond to the need to support photovoltaic growth with infrastructure capable of managing production and alleviating operational restrictions on the grid.
“Adding 200 MW of BESS to operational parks is the fastest solution to mitigate energy spills and relieve pressure on transmission lines,” the authorized representative said.
The batteries will store part of the daytime production to deliver it during peak nighttime demand. This operation will reduce the ducking curve and allow for more efficient use of the transmission infrastructure.
During the Future Energy Summit (FES) Caribbean, representatives of the sector anticipated the preparation of processes to incorporate more than 800 MWh of storage in the short term , along with a projection of close to 2000 MW BESS in the coming years .
The next challenge will be to establish mechanisms that economically recognize all the services provided by these technologies, beyond the conventional buying and selling of energy.
The first tender also confirmed, according to IDC, that banks and the international market are willing to finance hybrid projects , provided that the risk distribution is compatible with project finance structures.
Jáquez pointed out, however, that the Dominican Republic must move forward with more precise rules for the operation and remuneration of firm power and auxiliary services provided by batteries in the spot market.
“Batteries respond in milliseconds to stabilize the grid; an agile regulatory framework that monetizes these complementary services will further incentivize investment in cutting-edge technologies,” he emphasized.
The debate is gaining relevance given the country's rapid renewable energy expansion. Shared market projections point to approximately 2 GW of installed solar capacity by 2027 , accompanied by at least 600 MW of BESS projects already awarded and new developments in the pipeline.
IDC estimated that over the next three to five years, the sector discussion will shift from focusing solely on installed photovoltaic capacity to valuing the effective capacity to deliver dispatchable generation.
“ We will experience a profound paradigm shift: the conversation will move from the amount of 'installed solar megawatts' to the ability to deliver 'dispatchable megawatts 24/7' ,” Jáquez predicted.
In this scenario, hybrid solar and battery power generation will become the market standard. Opportunities will also emerge in artificial intelligence, advanced energy management systems, and standalone battery installations in congested grids.
The Dominican Republic will also occupy a central place in the company's regional plans. IDC will use the country as a base to build a replicable model for other island systems and markets in Central America.
“The Dominican Republic is not just another market for us; it is the 'anchor market' and the strategic hub for IDC Energy in the region,” the executive emphasized.
The immediate priority will be to execute Taíno I, complete Taíno II and Quisqueya Verde, and consolidate a hybrid portfolio that integrates photovoltaic generation, four-hour storage, and auxiliary services.
Based on that experience, the company will seek to develop technical and financial knowledge that can be exported to countries with similar challenges in dependence on fossil fuels, network congestion, and increasing penetration of renewable sources.