Certainly it is not a new topic of discussion. But while service has improved in some areas, especially in Santo Domingo, in other areas blackouts are longer. According to Ruben Bichara, the administrator for EdeSur, blackouts will remain part of the daily life of most Dominicans. Thus, Ruben Bichara of EdeSur told reporters that any client that has 18 hours of electricity is truly “blessed.” And that the blackouts will certainly continue.
El Caribe reports on 10 to 14 hours per day blackouts in some areas. Part of the problem is the unstable supply of electricity generated by the Smith-Enron plant and the Puerto Plata Electric Company plant that supply much of the power for the north and the Cibao Valley. The Superintendence of Power has announced it is reducing the circuits in order to be able to supply more power to those who pay, thus the explanation for less blackouts in areas where it is known that most people pay for the service.
While the electric companies are denying any relation between blackouts and financial woes, the vulnerability of the system to mechanical troubles is also in evidence. He also said that Ede-Sur had increased its electricity purchases by 10%, which helps provide better service.
Both Ede-Norte and Ede-Sur fulfilled their contract obligations and paid US$49.8 million to the electricity producers as part of the overall agreement within the sector. Ruben Montas, a member of the Presidential Energy Follow Up Commission, told El Caribe reporters that collection have been weak of late and that energy sold is still not energy paid for. Pointing out that the collections management and the control of losses (by illegal hookups) is still weak and that the commission is working to strengthen these areas.