According to Homero Figueroa, the Presidency spokesperson, the Dominican energy sector reached historic levels late last week when total output reached over 3,209 megawatts. However, reports from many parts of Greater Santo Domingo are of repeated and prolonged power outages.
The EDE-Este distributor was particularly affected by these blackouts in places like Villa Mella, Buena Vista, and Sabana Perdida as well as dozens of other barrios. Clients told reporters from El Caribe newspaper that sometimes the lights go out three times in less than half an hour.
Of course, with the current heat wave, there is a far greater demand for electricity during the nighttime hours.
Reports are the power outages are due to the going off grid of the Punta Catalina power unit 2 due to passing sargassum that affected the 352mw unit. El Dia reported that last year the company had invested US$4 million to install systems to prevent damages from the passing sargassum.
The Punta Catalina unit was back on the grid over the weekend after resolving the sargassum issue, as reported in Listin Diario.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
El Caribe
El Dia
Listin Diario
8 May 2023