HydropowerIn 2008 the Dominican Republic had an installed hydroelectric capacity of 470 MW, accounting for 14% of electricity generating capacity. It is expected that, by 2012, an additional 762 MW will have been added. The 50 MW hydroelectric Pinalito has started generating energy in 2009 while it is expected that the 99 MW Palomino hydroelectric, in the southwest, shall start operations in 2011. Construction is under way, or contracts have been signed, for 356 MW of new hydro plants. In addition, several hundred MW of new hydro projects are in different stages of development. Solar energyA high potential sector. In February 2009, the Dominican Republic signed an agreement with US firm Sunovia Energy Technologies for the installation of the country’s first solar energy plant of 20 MW. There are also estimates of 2,899 MW of solar PV projects, but these would not be economically worthwhile based on current estimates.Wind energyAbout 350 MW of wind projects have already been approved.Biomass energyThe $350 million Fenix Project from RJS Group is set to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol per year, using sweet sorghum as feedstock, and generate 55/60 MW of electricity.In January 2009, the Dominican State-owned power companies (CDEEE) and the US based company Koar Energy Resources signed an agreement to generate energy from vegetable waste.