The power cuts here on the North Coast have been getting worse every day. In our area of Sosua yesterday they lasted 9 hours. I am told that they are shutting down the generator in Puerto Plata for 3 WEEKS on a daily basis for necessary maintenance, hence our lengthy power cuts. 3 weeks Dominican time?? YUK. I preserve my inverter, finished my washing when the power came back on late last night, but thank goodness for my brilliant 8 red trace batteries, they maintain everything we need even my sons PS3 and that takes a LOT of power. One tip from a great electrician microwaves consume a lot, so stick to cooking by gas, keep a spare bottle of gas, two if possible and buy extra distilled water for your batteries, some are already running short of bottles.