The Unit I of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Plant, in the Dominican Republic, was synchronized and began to inject 36.5 megawatts (MW) into the national electricity system on Wednesday, February 27.

As of now, the testing processes are initiating with the injection of energy in small quantities until reaching Unit I’s nominal capacity of 360 MW of. The commercial operation of Unit I is scheduled for May. Unit II will start operating at the end of May. When finished, the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Plant will have the capacity to generate up to 720 MW.

"Very soon we will increase the energy production of the Dominican Republic between 30% and 35%, only with the production of Punta Catalina. As it was our commitment with the Dominican people, the Power Plant will mark a before and after in the electric service that we all receive", said the Dominican president Danilo Medina. Marcelo Hofke, Regional Director of Odebrecht Engineering & Construction in the Caribbean and United States, thanked the Members for their commitment: "This step is a result of the commitment that each Member assumed in the construction process of the thermoelectric plant. We count on people committed to continue working with dedication and focus for the conclusion of the works and final delivery to the Client".

The Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant is one of the largest and most important infrastructure works ever executed in the Dominican Republic and has the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications that give the project the highest international standards of Quality Management System.