After an all-too-brief respite, the blackouts have returned to punish a population that was just getting used to having electricity more often than not. Due to a reported mechanical problem, the AES-Andres generator went offline and a short circuit in the Palamara-Hainamosa line caused a general blackout that lasted for seven hours. Besides AES-Andres, the generator at Cogentrix is offline and many of the other power stations are not producing at full capacity. Francisco Mendez, the new electricity superintendent (SIE), told El Caribe reporters that while the short circuit removed several power stations from service, he felt confident that the deficit would be reduced to 200MW during the day and just 80MW during the peak hours of the night. According to the Listin Diario, Haina, Palamara, La Vega and Seaboard are all producing below capacity, and Itabo I is out of service because of mechanical problems. The power stations with below normal outputs say they are rationing fuel. Mendez told reporters that the SIE was meeting with the various power producers to settle the issues surrounding the elusive debts owed to them, and arrive at a agreement that would benefit the entire population.