After the exit from the national electrical system last weekend of one of the plants of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTPC), blackouts in various sectors of the country have intensified and together with this the complaints of users due to the rate increase.
The interruptions are recurrent even in the 24-hour circuits, as hundreds of clients reported yesterday through social networks and other channels to Listín Diario.
“In the sectors that already had 24-hour light for years, they are giving blackouts of up to seven hours and the light is going up just because,” Mery Luz commented through our social networks.
Like hers, hundreds of comments appear with the same complaint from users, who say they are “on the screech” not only because of the interruptions but because the bills keep getting higher and higher.
“The blackouts going up and the bills too; there are many blackouts and the bill has doubled; the bill is getting higher; the more the electricity rate rises, the more blackouts increase (…)”, are some of the many comments that we were able to collect.
Others stated that they have to sleep on the porches of their houses and that they spend the night without falling asleep, even with small children. They also reported prolonged breakdowns and recurring interruptions, which can cause damage to their appliances.
The complaints cover the clients of all the distributors.
“It is more time that we are without electricity in the Rayolis residential area of the San Isidro highway, Santo Domingo Este, than the time that they provide us with the service, which, by the way, is paid more and more expensive,” Ennivel Ramírez complained.
plant output
Since last Sunday, unit I of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant has been out of service due to “scheduled annual major maintenance”, which will last 45 days, according to the company.
This plant is one of the largest contributors to the national electricity system. Each unit generates 376 megawatts (MW), for a total of 752 MW.
increases
In recent months, the Superintendence of Electricity (SIE) has been ordering increases in the electricity rate, as part of a plan to dismantle the electricity subsidy that the Government began at the end of last year.
The measure is part of the Implementation Plan of the New Tariff Regime contemplated in the electricity pact, as explained by the authorities of the sector.
increases
Since November of last year, the Government began a process of dismantling the electricity subsidy that has impacted the rate for the service.
The increases range, as SIE officials explained at the time, from 0.3% for industries and/or large businesses to 2.7% for residences.
The readjustment of the rate will last until December 2026.
The authorities explained that with this plan the Government seeks to reduce its expenses and justified the measure by explaining that it had been more than ten years since the electricity rate had not varied in the country.