New Fortress Energy Inks Deal to Power the Dominican Republic With Floating LNG

A 125,000 m³ FSRU will anchor the Caribbean’s push for cleaner energy

New Fortress Energy (NFE) just locked in a three-year charter agreement for its Energos Freeze floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), marking another step in the company’s aggressive expansion across the Caribbean. The deal, signed with Dominican energy firm Energía 2000, will station the massive vessel at the Pepillo Salcedo (Manzanillo) LNG terminal, with operations set to go live by September 2025. The move signals a growing reliance on LNG to bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewables in the region.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, cleaner energy through strategic infrastructure,” said Wes Edens, NFE’s Chairman and CEO. “The Caribbean is a priority market for us.”

The Energos Freeze isn’t just another tanker—it’s a floating powerhouse. With a capacity of 125,000 m³, the FSRU will regasify LNG for power plants and industrial clients across the Dominican Republic, reducing reliance on dirtier fuels like coal and heavy oil. For a region vulnerable to energy shortages and price volatility, the project could stabilize grids while cutting emissions. NFE’s playbook here is familiar: deploy modular LNG infrastructure fast, then scale. The company has already replicated this model in Brazil, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

But the clock is ticking. The September 2025 operational deadline leaves little room for delays, especially in a sector where regulatory hurdles and port readiness often slow progress. Energía 2000’s existing terminal infrastructure likely tipped the scales for this deal, offering NFE a plug-and-play solution. Meanwhile, the Dominican government’s push to diversify its energy mix—LNG now accounts for nearly 30% of its power generation—adds political tailwinds.

For Caribbean nations, the math is simple: LNG burns cleaner than oil, and FSRUs are quicker to deploy than land-based terminals. But critics argue that locking in fossil fuel infrastructure could delay renewables. NFE’s counter? LNG is the pragmatic transition fuel—especially for islands where hurricanes and financing challenges complicate green projects. As the Energos Freeze prepares to dock in Manzanillo, the broader question remains: Is this a bridge to a low-carbon future, or a detour?