Caribbean Transmission, Siemens Energy partner in Hostos Project
Caribbean Transmission Development Co. (CTDC) said it has added Siemens Energy as a key partner in the Hostos Project, the $2.3 billion submarine electrical interconnection between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic that is slated to begin operations in 2031.
The project’s initial phase will supply up to 700 megawatts of energy to Puerto Rico, with a second phase enabling bidirectional exchange.
“Having Siemens Energy as an ally reinforces the confidence and viability of the Hostos Project,” said Rafael Vélez-Domínguez, president of CTDC. “Its global trajectory and its technological capacity allow us to take firm steps toward a historic project for the Caribbean.”
Siemens Energy brings more than 50 years of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) experience, with more than 70 completed projects worldwide. Its record in submarine interconnections includes the 500 MW Greenlink cable between Ireland and the United Kingdom and the 1,000 MW NEMO Link between the United Kingdom and Belgium.
Executives said those projects showed HVDC PLUS technology’s resilience to extreme marine conditions and operational reliability of more than 99%.
For Puerto Rico, which CTDC said experiences more than 100 blackouts annually and reports only 48% generation availability, the partnership provides both technological and financial advantages.
Standardized processes are expected to speed construction, and Siemens’ equipment is designed to withstand hurricanes and other severe weather. Officials said the collaboration is also expected to boost investor confidence in the project’s financing.
Siemens Energy already has a presence in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, it is modernizing the Costa Sur plant with SGT-800 turbines as part of post-hurricane recovery. In the Dominican Republic, the company executed the Estrella del Mar III floating plant project.
Under the Hostos agreement, Siemens Energy will provide technical support through its Gas Services and Grid Technologies divisions, including interconnection studies, consulting services and engineering solutions to optimize the new combined cycle plant in the Dominican Republic.
The Hostos Project includes 146 kilometers (90.7 miles) of submarine HVDC cable, AC/DC converters at entry and exit points, and a new generator in the Dominican Republic capable of producing up to 700 MW. Commercial operation is targeted for Jan. 1, 2031, making Hostos the first two-way energy link in the Caribbean.
Beyond expanding access to electricity, the project is projected to generate economic and environmental benefits. Siemens’ HVDC PLUS technology will allow Hostos to serve as a blackstart during emergencies, deliver an estimated $300 million in annual savings by replacing older thermal plants and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 3.8 million tons.
“Hostos is a 100% CTDC initiative, developed with international private capital,” Vélez said.
The company added that the project is intended to strengthen energy resilience, foster regional integration and support the transition to cleaner sources, while opening opportunities for the sale of surplus renewable energy between the two islands.
