This year the government will provide US$611 million to reinforce the national energy system. This was agreed during a meeting of the “Electricity Cabinet”, led by President Leonel Fernandez at the Presidential Palace over the weekend. Diario Libre reports that US$500 million will be used to cover the distribution companies and the State-Owned Electric Companies (CDEEE) deficits, and the rest will be used in hydro-electrical plants, networks and transmission substations. The information was provided by CDEEE vice president, Radhames Segura, who stated that work would begin immediately on the 345,000-Volt electric highway between Santo Domingo and Santiago.