Electricity Pact talks start today (DR1 News)

Private sector and government representatives are starting a series of meetings today, Monday, 24 August 2015 for discussions on over 3,000 proposals received for improvements in the electricity sector. The institutional and regulatory framework for generation, transmission, distribution, tariffs, financial and consumer issues will be discussed. The sessions, which are being held at the PUCMM in Santo Domingo, will be open to the general public on Mondays and Thursdays.

Five discussion periods have been scheduled, 24-28 August, 31 August to 4 September, 7-11 September, 14-18 September and 21-25 September.

The organizers say that the Electricity Pact will serve as a platform for identifying solutions aimed at overcoming the obstacles identified in the system that have prevented the country from having a reliable and competitive electricity system that is sustainable for all. The pact was ordered by the National Development Strategy Law 2030 (END) 1-12.

See http://pactoelectrico.do

I am sure there will be a lot of talk and virtually no action. Nobody in government has the balls to do what is needed to correct the electricity problems.

DR lags behind in renewable energy generation

The DR is lagging well behind Central American countries in the production of energy from renewable sources.

A report in El Dia warns that the government could reduce the incentives being offered to attract investment in renewable energy.

El Dia reports that according to the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), the national grid sources its power from 52% generated with fuel oil; 29.1% with natural gas; 15.1% water-powered, 2.2% coal-fired and 1.7% wind energy, or barely 10% in renewable energy. By contrast renewable energy percentages are Costa Rica 77%, Honduras 58%, Panama 57%, Nicaragua 54%, El Salvador 50% and Guatemala 42%.

The report says that renewable energies are a relevant competitive advantage in those countries. According to the report, 21 wind farm projects are under study, seven have been approved and five are in operation supplying 604 megawatts in Central America.

El Dia reports that in the Dominican Republic, the National Energy Council is sitting on approving the following concessions for wind farms: Matanzas, Bani, Parque Matafongo n Grupo Eolico Dominicano, Villa Vasquez, Montecristi, Parque Guanillo, Parque Eolicos del Caribe with 50 megawatts; and Maimon and Imbert, Puerto Plata, Jasper Caribbean Windpower with 115 megawatts.

Los Guzmancitos, Puerto Plata, Parque Los Gumancitos with 99 megawatts.

Several solar energy projects are also awaiting approval: Monte Plata, Electronic JRC with 30 megawatts; Guayubin, Montecristi, Montecristi Solar with 56 megawatts; and La Victoria, Santo Domingo, Desarrollos Fotovoltaicos, 50 megawatts.

El Dia warns that National Energy Council director Juan Rodriguez Nina has hinted of changes in government incentives for renewable energy.

Meanwhile, the Medina administration has thrown its support and resources behind a coal-fired power plant under construction in the southwestern province of Peravia.

Blackouts and brownouts in Las Terrenas

Businessmen in Las Terrenas now say that power service provided by Luz y Fuerza was expensive but reliable. After an internal conflict between partners affected the company's operations, the state intervened and ordered the tourist district to connect to the power supplied by EdeNorte.

Now businesses in Las Terrenas are complaining there have been blackouts lasting up to four hours, and worse still, several brownouts affecting appliances. As reported in Listin Diario, Gerard Prystasz of the Hotel Atlantis complained the brownouts have damaged several refrigerators, lights and electrical equipment at the hotel. He said that the situation must improve in time for the winter tourism season. Santiago Abreu of the Samana Tourism Cluster said that the situation could force businesses to purchase inverters and backup generators causing unnecessary noise pollution in the tourist area.

As reported in Listin Diario, Luz y Fuerza spokespersons had said that the line would not meet public demand, that there would be voltage problems and that a 138KV line was required, not the 34KV one installed to connect Las Terrenas to the national electricity grid. As reported, Luz y Fuerza general manager Alejandra Orsini said that the company is working to deliver a constant and efficient service as they have done for the past 22 years, but several measures need to be taken to stabilize the system and regulate the voltage.

http://www.listindiario.com/economia/2015/08/24/385308/se-quejan-de-apagones-en-las-terrenas

Post 4 is an example of what happens when the government is involved, but almost everyone here is already aware of that.