In the framework of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Electricity Distribution Company (EDEESTE), the General Manager of that organization, engineer Manuel Mejía Naut, presented during a Eucharist the main achievements of his administration between the period July 2023 and July 2024.
At the ceremony held at the Santa Monica parish in Santo Domingo Este, Naut detailed the actions and improvements implemented by the company, emphasizing operational efforts to reduce the entity’s losses.
He indicated that during his administration the company registered an annual growth of 12% in the demand for electric energy, achieving a record billing of more than 300 GWh and collections exceeding RD$2,790 million in July 2024, which represents an increase of 261.31 million compared to the same year in 2023.
Other significant operational achievements include: an increase in energy purchases, which amount to 5.4%; an increase in billing by 10.7% and a reduction in energy losses by 2.24%.
He stressed that in terms of infrastructure and services, A reduction in the Average Breakdown Response Time (TMA) was achieved from 74.26 hours in June 2023 to 20.7 hours in June 2024, after the incorporation of more brigades.
In terms of infrastructure, seven improvement projects have been implemented and another seven are in the implementation stage, as well as eleven more in the bidding process.
“Thanks to the vision and interest of President Luis Abinader, the Vice President of the Republic and President of the Electric Cabinet, Raquel Peña, and thanks to the support and management of the Unified Council of EDES (CUED), headed by Mr. Celso Marranzini, we are investing and executing projects to guarantee a stable and dignified service for Dominicans,” Naut highlighted.
The interventions include the addition and replacement of transformers in San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo Norte, Monte Plata, Guerra, La Altagracia and La Romana, initiatives that benefit more than 252,200 families. The repowering of substations and the acquisition of 13 new power transformers, with a total investment of USD 23.7 million.
He said the company submitted to the National Congress a project for the construction of six new substations with an estimated cost of USD 113.9 million, financed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
He pointed out that in the area of innovation and technology, the company has installed 191,407 remote-measured meters in 2024, increasing remote-measured customers by 58% and allowing for more accurate monitoring of energy consumption. Likewise, a Customer Monitoring Center (CMC) has been put into service, extending service hours until 11:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, improving customer service.
He said that Edeeste has installed 51,232 lights throughout the concession area until June 2024, a significant increase compared to previous years, ensuring a safer and well-lit environment for hundreds of communities.
The mass was attended by company employees, personalities linked to the electrical sector and various government entities, including Mrs. Maribel Fernández, representing the Unified Council of Distribution Companies, the rector of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitarios de San Luis (ITSC), businessman Fernando Villanueva, president of the VIAMAR Group, among others.
After the thanksgiving mass, the EDEESTE directors presented a floral offering at the bust of Patricio Juan Pablo Duarte, in Plaza Duarte, located on the Las Américas expressway, in Santo Domingo Este.
