SANTO DOMINGO.-  Dominican Republic’s electricity sector is “on the brink of darkness,” reports the financial publication Market Watch, quoting from a report by Fitch Ratings, while citizens and groups get edgy and announce protests

The publication, citing a Business Wire press release from Chicago, said even investors are beginning to question the Government’s ability to deal with the blackouts, which have become a roller-coaster ride over decades. “With the sector teetering on the brink of financial distress, investors are again asking if the recently re-elected Fernandez administration now has the political will and conviction to fix the system.”

Unfortunately, it said, little was gained from a framework the International Monetary Fund provided the sector to reach financial stability, while supplying efficient and reliable cost- conscious electricity. “So far, the re-elected government seems to be taking an approach that is likely to perpetuate the sector's instability, rather than to eliminate market distortions and enforce the new electricity law.”

Blackouts and shortages have become a way of life for Dominicans, Market Watch said, and notes “etremely high electricity losses,” mostly from theft, and low bill collection have resulted in “perpetual” shortages.

Even when the country’s output is more than the demand, “the government's decision to cap electricity prices, tolerate theft by end users and give free electricity has resulted in insufficient funds for state-owned electric distribution companies to cover their operating costs and pay private sector generators for contracted capacity.”

'Dominican Republic Electricity: On the Edge of Darkness' is the title of the report, available on the Fitch Ratings web site www.fitchratings.com.