Navy and SOS Carbon launch operation to remove sargassum from Punta Catalina plant

The Dominican company SOS Carbon, in partnership with the Navy, has launched a special operation to remove massive amounts of sargassum that recently clogged the cooling systems of the Punta Catalina thermoelectric plant in Baní. The obstruction forced the temporary shutdown of one of the plant’s units, creating an energy shortfall at a time when national demand is peaking at nearly 4,000 megawatts, according to Celso Marranzini, president of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED).

SOS Carbon CEO Andrés Bisonó León explained that the firm deployed its patented Littoral Collection Module (LCM) system, which transforms local boats into high-capacity collectors. This technology intercepts sargassum before it reaches the coast and enables its conversion into valuable products such as agricultural biostimulants, animal feed, and cosmetics.

The Navy, under Rear Admiral Morillo, is supporting the operation with cranes, vessels, and personnel, ensuring coordinated action to protect energy infrastructure and coastal areas. Backed by institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), MIT, and ITC, SOS Carbon continues to lead sustainable initiatives in the Caribbean, turning environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation, job creation, and the growth of the blue economy.