Team Size: Ten 

Firstly, can you give us an idea of the type of work your team has done recently? 

Our in-house legal team serves as a strategic partner to the company, providing legal expertise and guidance to support the operations of the company, as well as all subsidiaries and affiliates of the Interenergy Group in the Dominican Republic. Our goal is to protect the interests of the company, ensure compliance with the complex legal landscape of the energy sector and provide general legal support. Our team handles various legal matters, including regulatory, corporate, land, labour, intellectual property, among others. Most recently, we have made significant commitments to our CEPM Zero initiative. This initiative aims to deploy 600MW of renewable energy plants, transforming our current generation and aiming for decarbonisation.  

Our legal team has been actively involved in a number of areas. Firstly, the negotiation and drafting of agreements related to the development of these projects. This includes contracts with government entities, suppliers, and service providers, among others. Our objective is to guarantee favourable conditions for our company, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Second, obtaining the necessary licences and permits from the competent authorities for the development of projects. Third, entering negotiations with landowners, complying with zoning regulations and addressing potential land use conflicts necessary for project development. Finally, we also ensure strict compliance with regulations and guidelines, such as technical standards, safety measures, environmental regulations, and consumer protection standards.
 

How do you keep up to date with changes in laws and regulations relevant to your organisation’s industry? 

To keep abreast of changes in Dominican laws and regulations relevant to our organisation’s industry, our legal team adopts several strategies. First, we keep a close watch on legislative developments and updates issued by government authorities, including the Superintendency of Electricity, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the National Energy Commission, and other relevant regulatory bodies. We regularly review and analyse new laws, decrees, resolutions, and regulations that may affect our operations. Furthermore, we actively participate in industry events and engage with legal professionals to exchange insight and knowledge. By combining these efforts, we strive to stay updated with the ever-changing legal landscape in the Dominican Republic.
 

What is one cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about and why? 

The company faces various legal challenges and risks in its operations. The first major concern, in my view, relates to regulatory changes. The energy sector is subject to constantly evolving regulation, and changes in laws or policies can have a significant impact on our operations. Therefore, closely monitoring and actively participating in legislative developments is crucial to mitigate risks and ensure compliance. In addition, I believe that with the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, companies face the increased risk of cybersecurity breaches and data privacy issues. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures and complying with data protection laws are essential to safeguard sensitive information and protect against legal and reputational risks.