Santo Domingo.- The Dominican government has reaffirmed its commitment to social protection through electricity and fuel subsidies, maintaining electricity rates at the same levels since 2022 to shield households from international energy price increases.
President Luis Abinader and Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos explained the measures during the weekly program La Agenda Semanal, highlighting the government’s efforts to contain household costs.
Santos said electricity rates have not increased, but explained that the tariff system has four consumption tiers. Customers using more than 700 kilowatt-hours, for example, pay RD$13.09 per kilowatt-hour, compared with RD$6.09 for consumption between 0 and 200 kilowatt-hours. All tariff categories continue to receive government subsidies, while the market reference rate is approximately RD$15.50 per kilowatt-hour.
The minister also said the country’s diversification of energy sources has reduced dependence on fuel oil. Oil-based generation has fallen from 88% in 2000 to 9% today, with natural gas, coal and renewable energy now making up a larger share of the energy mix.
Abinader attributed rising household electricity consumption partly to higher temperatures and greater use of appliances. He cited National Household Survey data showing that air-conditioning ownership increased from 7.4% in 2017 to 20% in 2024, while flat-screen television ownership rose from 30% to 60%.
The president said government subsidies have helped prevent international energy costs from being fully passed on to consumers, arguing that doing so has helped protect household purchasing power and prevent an increase in poverty. For 2026, the government projects approximately RD$100 billion for electricity subsidies.