The National Council of Merchants and Entrepreneurs of the Dominican Republic (Conacerd) expressed its concern about the recent measures announced by the Unified Council of State Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED), to stabilize the deficit between generation and electrical consumption per capita in the country.
He CUED has decided to implement a blackout schedule scheduled from Monday to Friday, affecting localities of Santo Domingo Este, La Romana, Higüey, San Cristóbal, among others, with interruptions of between two and three hours a day.
However, Conacerdrepresented by its vice president and spokesperson, Antonio Cruz Rojas, expressed his disagreement with the form of implementation of these measures.
“We support the intention to reduce and balance the energy deficitbut we do not agree that it is punished in a general way, affecting both those who comply with their payments and the productive sectors,” declared Cruz Rojas.
Conacerd Suggestions
The organization urged CUED to redirect measures towards users who do not comply with the payment of energy serviceapplying strict sanctions without harming those who pay regularly.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need to protect productive sectors to avoid a negative impact on the national economy.
“Our members, more than 14,000 nationwide, are properly educated in the fulfillment of their obligations. We ask that those who comply be rewarded, not punished for the deficiencies of the system,” Cruz Rojas added.
Finally, Conacerd reiterated its support for the application of legal consequences for those who do not pay for the service, as a fair and effective measure to guarantee the stability of the electrical system.
Distributor losses
Currently, distributors have a loss level of 37% due to various factors, including the deterioration of supply networks and the theft of service.
According to the owner of the CUEDhe electrical fraud It costs the State 800 million dollars a year, so the Government allocates an item from the General Budget of the Nation to cover the deficit of the electricity distribution companies (EDE): Edesur, Edeeste and Edenorte.
