The Dominican government’s push for a more “just, efficient, and sustainable” electricity system saw a major operation as the Empresa Distribuidora de Electricidad del Este (Edeeste), the power distribution company, has joined forces with the Prosecutor’s Office for the Electrical System (Pgase) to combat rampant power theft. The joint operation targeted several commercial establishments in Santo Domingo East (SDE), uncovering numerous illegal connections that have been bleeding the utility dry.
The crackdown recently successfully dismantled several fraudulent connections in various businesses, including Carnicería Dios Provee, Carnicería y Pescadería Altagracia, Manao Cell Comercial, and food services companies Morphi and Jorge Burgos Grupo SRL.
Edeeste’s technical analysis revealed the severity of the theft. The utility estimated that the power losses from the inspected businesses alone amounted to approximately RD$3 million annually. One business, in particular, was found to have an estimated consumption of 195,636 kWh, translating to a staggering annual cost of roughly RD$2,858,256.60 that was never paid.
Edeeste and Pgase affirmed that these inspections are not a one-off event. They announced that operations will continue across the distributor’s entire concession zone. This ongoing effort, which also involves the Superintendency of Electricity (SIE), aims to identify and correct irregularities involving both non-regulated users and customers who are delinquent in their payments.
Authorities stressed their commitment to a national strategy of zero tolerance for electric fraud. They noted that in recent months, numerous clandestine connections have been dismantled, resulting in sanctions and legal processing for the implicated businesses.
Officials highlighted that electric fraud is far more than a financial problem for the utility. Illegal connections overload the distribution network, which degrades the quality of service for paying customers and drives up operational costs—an unfair burden on those who comply with their obligations.
Edeeste, Pgase, and SIE are appealing to the public to become active partners in the fight against power theft. They urged citizens and businesses to report all illegal actions that compromise the electrical system through institutional channels, reinforcing the message that a fair and efficient electrical system benefits everyone.
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EdeEste
7 October 2025