El Caribe reports that the latest series of blackouts are the result of late payment by the CDEEE to the generators. Cesar Sanchez, the head of CDEEE, told reporter Mercedes Gonzalez that he met last Thursday with the power generators and explained that payments would be made to the generating companies as of today, although not in the proportions set out in February?s agreement. This agreement called for US$32.5 million to be paid to the various generating facilities, but Sanchez said the government simply does not have those levels available. The government was supposed to have begun payments on 26 March, but failed to come through. As a consequence, the electricity supply, which had risen to as much as 97.5% of demand, began to drop off, with last week?s supply falling to 90% of demand. EgeHaina reduced its output by 50 megawatts, placing 199 MW online. Itabo and Smith-Enron reported internal problems and Cogentrix in San Pedro de Macoris is only producing 100 MW for financial reasons. Because of the delay in payment, the current debt has reached the US$400-million mark, which matches the level of last year at this time. The generators have warned that if they do not receive significant payments on their accounts, they will begin to shut down their operations. At present time, the generation deficit is estimated to be 150 MW.