Smaller
BiggerUnderwater cable linking Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo.- Caribbean Transmission Development (CTDC) plans to install an underwater power line between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to provide electricity to the neighboring country.
According to the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día, the Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and LUMA Energy are exploring measures to stabilize the fragile energy system in the medium term. This includes considering the construction of an underwater interconnection cable to the Dominican Republic. If realized, it would grant Puerto Rico access to additional electricity generation resources. The cover story, titled “Submarine Electric Cable to Connect Puerto Rico with the Dominican Republic for Enhanced System Stability,” details this potential development.
CTDC has announced on its LinkedIn page that it is developing a high-voltage submarine interconnection cable named “Hostos” between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to link the two energy networks. The cable, operating at 320 kilowatts direct current, boasts a capacity to transport electricity of up to 500MW in any direction without interrupting the operations of either network. Additionally, it will enable Puerto Rico’s grid to restart in the event of a complete loss of power.
Recent hurricanes and insufficient investment in Puerto Rico’s electrical system have significantly weakened its energy generation and distribution capacity. Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017 caused losses exceeding a thousand million dollars, and subsequent storms such as Beryl, Dorian, Karen, Isaias, Laura, Teddy, Fiona, and Nicole have further strained the country’s energy infrastructure.
Despite investing over $9,000 million since Irma to rebuild the system, Puerto Rico’s main electricity generation systems remain between 50 and 70 years old, with the two most recent power plants built in the 1990s.
It’s worth noting that there’s already an underwater fiber optic cable connecting the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as part of the Caribbean Ring System of the Americas (ARCOS-1), primarily used for internet connectivity. Furthermore, a project is underway to construct a new submarine fiber optic cable linking Puerto Rico with the Dominican Republic and the United States Virgin Islands, aiming to enhance broadband infrastructure in the region.
Nice idea but we here in DR have power outages frequently…and we are going to share our power with PR…lol
D.R. and P.R. both have electric problem
Puerto Rico had or has one electric company and the island was without power for months
Why ? Most islands have sun and wind.i don’t understand what y’all are waiting for
There are many solar toys now
Five dollar light set or lantern that can be used indoors or outdoors
Well pumps,
start up solar systems and battery packs
Phone chargers
Scooters
Bicycles
Motion sensors
If everyone would send a solar gift to a friend, neighbor or family member that would be a start
They will probably go ahead with this project but you the people can do your part by helping your neighbor, friends or family .
????= Free energy
Is P.R.E.P.A. the same company that left Puerto Rico in the dark for months?
I completely agree. Solar and wind generation is not too complicated or expensive. Only need a few thousand watts to survive off the grid.
Interesting, and can’t wait for the Puerto Ricans to say they’re the ones helping D.R , even though it’s something that would benefit both countries, looks like it would be more beneficial to P.R, but like always they like to belittle D.R ????
The sharks will bite the wiring … Don’t know if that’s good idea.
I would assume these lines would be installed beneath the floor of the ocean. Nothing to worry.
Puerto Rico and the RD would get great benefit from a cable. Available power to support energy deficits can be shared back and forth to prevent or lessen brownouts/blackouts. A win-win situation for both locations.
The big question to be asked is where in the RD will the proposed cable landing port be constructed? It can be expected there will be construction of a cable termination station.
The cable has to be protected, landing port locations should avoid heavy marine traffic. Santo Domingo, Haina, La Romana, and San Pedro de Marcoris should be off port location lists.
Cabo Engaño on the easternmost part of the country would be an ideal location as it has open land and beaches. Distribution wires to and from this suggested landing port could follow the Coral highway and Autovia del Este, without taking many private properties.