The Superintendence of Electricity ordered to the Electricity Distribution Companies (Edes) to recalculate their bills issued to customers in the months in which tariff adjustments came into force for credit or debit the erroneously applied rate differences.
The SIE instructs the EDEs to apply article 461 of the General Electricity Law 125-01, which establishes that, if in the period to be billed there are different rates, in each part of the period it must be billed according to the current terms at that moment.
The measure is in resolution SIE-080-2022-TFissued and posted on its website, like all the provisions of the Superintendence, and refers specifically to the months of November 2021, January and April 2022.
“It means that, if within the same billing period the rate experiences a variation, the consumption made by the client must be billed prorated according to the rate conditions,” says the entity that regulates the electricity subsector.
In order to carry out the compensation process for regulated users in a fair and transparent manner, the SIE also established through this resolution the methodology that the EDES must apply.
The difference between the prices of the transition rate to be applied and the fraction of the rate applied that corresponded to the months of November 2021 and January 2022 must be credited or debited, as appropriate, in the billing of September 2022. While the changes Rates corresponding to the month of April 2022 must be credited or debited in the billing of October 2022.
With this resolution, the Superintendency of Electricity establishes a single procedure that provides transparency to the compensation process for tariff readjustment to users.
Likewise, it guarantees and supervises the unrestricted compliance with President Luis Abinader’s provision to temporarily suspend the sequential adjustment of the rate, established in the Electric Pact, due to the extraordinary world conditions that are currently affecting the cost of electricity generation and , at the same time, responding to the concern of society.
The institution also reminds that through Resolution SIE-068-2022-TF had ordered the EDES to review the invoices issued in the month of July and credit or debit, as appropriatein the billing of August the difference between the established prices.
“As the regulatory entity of the system, the SIE establishes the necessary measures to protect the rights of electricity consumers, working with transparency, ensuring that the country has a reliable, efficient and stable electricity supply, which acts as a catalyst for competitiveness and national productivity and also improve the quality of life of all Dominicans, “said the agency in a press release sent to this media outlet.
It should be remembered that The changes in the electricity rate are the result of the agreements reached in the Electric Pact signed in February 2021 and that began to be applied in November of that year.
In this agreement, which was agreed by all political parties, the government, businessmen, representatives of civil society, it was established to gradually dismantle, and in stages, concluding in December 2026, the cross subsidy that is applied to electricity until reaching the technical fee.
The SIE assured that this management makes commendable efforts to responsibly face the electrical problems that have hampered the country’s development for decades, motivated by the commitment assumed with the Dominican people to promote long-term development that increases the country’s competitiveness.