The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) commemorated the eleventh anniversary of its creation as a government institution with the celebration of several activities, in which it highlighted the achievements and progress promoted by the current administration to develop and promote the country’s energy and mining sectors.
The Vice-Minister of Energy, Miguel Díaz, on behalf of Minister Antonio Almonte, emphasized that during these almost four years of management, they have promoted significant changes in two vital sectors for social development and the growth of the national economy, such as energy and mining.
He pointed out that the Ministry has ensured the adequate protection, preservation and exploitation of natural resources and has also assumed the commitment to create safer and more reliable energy infrastructures, and to develop policies for the rational use of energy.
In highlighting the achievements, Engineer Díaz indicated that they have driven the transition to renewable energies and that, as a result, the installed capacity of clean energy increased from 555.5 MW in 2020 to 1,126 MW in 2023, which represents an increase of 103 % in only three years.
He said that more than 1,300 MW in photovoltaic projects are in the development phase, thus boosting the country’s energy security, whose green energy expansion dynamics, together with conventional energy projects, has led the electricity sector to lead Foreign Direct Investment for three consecutive quarters last year, according to data from the Central Bank.
“These figures reflect investor confidence in our country, both for its political stability and macroeconomic conditions. They also support the energy planning efforts made by the National Energy Commission, chaired by Minister Almonte,” he said.
The official said that the ministry promoted the first course on Energy Diplomacy for the training of Dominican diplomats, and that in the area of energy saving and efficiency it promoted the enactment of Decree 158-23, which declared energy saving and efficiency to be of high national interest in all the nation’s government institutions.
Meanwhile, in the mining area, he expressed that, beyond the regulations, they brought the extractive industry closer to the population through courses for social communicators in various regions of the country and specialized programs for public servants.
“Since 2020, communication with citizens in areas close to mining exploitations has increased, always based on scientific criteria, whose educational effort has improved the perception of the sector and reduced hostility towards it,” Diaz highlighted, when delivering the words of thanks at the end of the Eucharist for the anniversary of the MEM, in the Primada de America Cathedral, presided by the auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, Monsignor José Amable Durán Tineo.
The events began with the raising of the national flag at the MEM headquarters and continued with a Eucharist at the Catedral Primada de América, and concluded with a floral offering at the Altar of the Homeland, with the participation of the deputy ministers, Rafael Gómez, Walkiria Caamaño, Alfonso Rodríguez and Fausto Pérez, who were accompanied by area directors, advisors and collaborators of the MEM.
The activities began at the front esplanade of the institution with the raising of the national and institutional flags, which included the interpretation of the national anthem by the Ministry of Defense music band.
At the end of the Eucharist, Mr. Diaz, accompanied by deputy ministers and collaborators, placed a wreath at the Altar of the Homeland, where the historical role of the fathers of the country in the consolidation of a free and independent nation was highlighted.
The mass was attended by Pelegrin Castillo, former Minister of Energy and Mines; Edward Veras, director of the National Energy Commission, and Rolando Muñoz, director of Mining; Sergio Grullon Estrella, member of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of Electricity; Aura Caraballo Castillo, member of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of Electricity, as well as representatives of diplomatic legations and international organizations.
Source:presidencia.gob.do
