Several major generation plants have been on and off the grid, and this has caused frequent blackouts. As reported, over the weekend, the deficit in generation reached a high of 1,200 megawatts of the 2,461 MW demand.
The control center for the Interconnected Electricity System (SENI), the national grid, reported that by Monday, 21 September 2020, 98% of the demand for 2,461 megawatts was being dispatched to the grid by the generators. Power plants that are not generating at capacity are Punta Catalina, Los Mina, Itabo I, AES Los Minas, Haina Turbo Gas, La Vega Palamara and AES Andres.
El Dia reports that power utilities and generation companies blame each other for the blackouts. It appears again that arrears in government payments to the generators are behind the cuts in service. The Dominican Electrical Industry Association (ADIE) states that the power outages are caused by the maintenance of units and administrative problems with the new authorities, including the supply of fuel for plant operations.
El Dia sources reveal that the power utilities will report a deficit of RD$52 billion due to major inefficiencies and wasteful spending accumulated throughout the Medina administration years. Most of the power utilities in the Dominican Republic are government-owned and operated.
El Dia reports that as of Tuesday, 22 September 2020, the electrical system had some 870 megawatts out of service.
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El Dia
El Dia
El Dia
23 September 2020