President Fernandez spoke to reporters during the ribbon cutting of mobile cafeterias, for use in cases of emergencies and other needs.
SANTO DOMINGO.- President Leonel Fernandez Thursday blamed the increase in blackouts in the last few days on "some plants" that went out of service. “Those were plants that went out of operation yesterday and the CDEEE (State-owned power companies) executive vice president (Radhamés Segura) told me they already reentered operation today."
The chief executive, when asked about the energy problem, said, “it’s a technical question that was being solved yesterday.”
There were fewer blackouts when the generation increased Wednesday and Thursday, as most of the plants which have had fuel shortages reentered the National Electric System yesterday.
Blackouts of nearly 10 hours in some zones resulted from the shut down for major maintenance to the 300 megawatt plant AES Andres, and Los Mina V.
As to the Government’s debt with the power companies to April 20, Segura placed the figure at US$174 million.
The power company LAESA maintains an output of 44.2 megawatts, Metaldom 26, San Pedro (Cogentrix) 93, Palamara-La Vega153, Estrella del Nort 102, CEPP 45.9, Monte Río 72, Los Mina, 90, EGE-Haina 245and EGE-Itabo 282 MW.
Written by: Juango, 24 Apr 2009 9:46 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
It is sad the DR continues the path of less than third world countries when it concerns electricty. At this moment (9:00 AM) the system is supporting 1300 MW, way less than demand (>1800MW). Go to:
http://www.oc.org.do/click on .."Real time operation" and view spreadsheet (don't update).
It is always TECHNICAL ISSUES....that they are down (not operational).. is it not a technical issue when the "Bank" doesn't fund your account so you may buy more fuel ? This is the first time that I recall the President addressing the "Apagones", in a public forum. Could this be signs of real trouble ahead ???
From: United States
If it was a technical problem other countries would be experiencing the same problems.These electrical issues are not new and aren't going away. Instead of lining corrupt officials pockets try upgrading the needed equipment and paying the bills.
When the electrical companies come out and say once again nobody paid the bill the egg will be our faces yet again.
Written by: xwill7, 24 Apr 2009 9:55 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
I wish that they would hire an American electrical company to correct the problem
Written by: Belly, 24 Apr 2009 10:11 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Unless we move away from fossil fuel to generate electricity this problem is going to continue becasue of the salaries are not enought to pay for electricity for the average dominican and the energy cost is way to high. Why do we even have a state owned power company that has proven to not know how to work smoth. I say we sale to a private company and even provide loan to private compaies to expand energy production and get interest back from those loans. For over 300 yrs have been proven that the goverment is not a good business runner so why are we trying this. specially in our case that we can't even run a smoth government.
Written by: juanb, 24 Apr 2009 10:17 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Why in the world would anyone believe one word out of the mouth of R. Segura. If the truth came up and smacked him in the face, he would neither recognize it nor accept it.
Written by: xwill7, 24 Apr 2009 10:32 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
juan,
R Segura needs to step up to the plate y dar un palo.
Written by: xwill7, 24 Apr 2009 10:37 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Bailarin,
you forgot that the Mexicans supply cement and telecom
Venezuela provides the petro
and Miller has begun to be a major player in the alchol industry
Written by: BASTA, 24 Apr 2009 6:07 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
MyMY fernandez you did say that you were fixing the electric sector 14 years ago. You are soooooo bad.
From: United States, MD
BullS**t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Liar, liar , liar!!!!
So it was a technical problem that caused these brownouts!!! OK, so what was the reason when we had numerous ones over the past weeks, months and years?
I would rather be told the ugly truth and deal with its harsh consequences than be told rosie lies and think everything is well.
Mr. President, we are not that stupid! Please stop uniquely Dominican practice of lying-even when the truth would do.
Just the facts, please, and leave elegance to the tailor.
If you start telling us the truth more often, then maybe we will begin to trust you. Think about it!
From: United States
glomarexplorer, well said.
He must think all Dominicans are as dumb as tree stumps.
It is the 3500 extra nepotism jobs that have been running it into the ground.
Pitiful, transparently corrupt failed state.
Written by: Juango, 25 Apr 2009 11:36 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
gmiller & glo, you are both spot on. Check out the real time number on generation of electricity. For the past 7 hours it has been <1100 MW (avg). Many parts this morning have "no luz"! LF, in his first term as president, ran on eliminating the Electrical problems of the RD. That was 12+ years ago. Dominicans need to organize and revolt (peacefully) ! What would happen if everyone (business & individuls) fails to pay their EDE Factura (electric bill) for one month ?? They cant disconnect everyone, the cash flow crisis will open someones eyes, dont you think?
From: Dominican Republic
Sure it is technical. Like when you present your credit and the charge is denied, it says "contact your bank".
Who is going to believe this bushu? We are not sucking our thumbs here. No money no juice.
From: Spain, Ibiza, Minorca, Mallorca
Technical, What?
When Fernadez can galavant around the world demanding 'transparency' and trying to shake down ($$$$$) the world bank and the IMF; Attending Elite Summit, after Summit: Talkin' 'bout theories that only exist in the minds of milionaire Social Engineers.
He better check out his own house. Before attempting to control the external world.
Transparency: If you live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones!
Fix the problem at home before you go around the world calling wolf. Little boy Leo FR!
You're Global in your mind (lot's of talk), but you're lacking in the local aspect, Mr Joan of Arc JHS.
It's 2009, and we're still dealing with a 50 year old problem: "LOS APAGONES".
When you flip a switch you expect light, not lies!
Written by: Belly, 25 Apr 2009 1:03 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Before we can eliminate the electrical problem we must put a end to stealing electricity in the country. If you put your self in the power company's shoe why on earth would they invest in their services will be stolen and all money would be lost. 34 percent of residential service in DR don't pay for the service. 19 percent of bussines don't pay for it either. Under what case can the power company convince the Investor to give them money to invest! That they hope they get it back haha that won't work. Unless local laws are respected power companies and their investor are not going to take this problem seriously and we must understand that simpple faq you can't get what you are not paying for is that simple!
From: United States
Good idea. No payment for a month.
But even better.
"uniquely Dominican practice of lying-even when the truth would do."
You can not shame Dominicans into anything, they a transparently corrupt and shameless.
Written by: Belly, 25 Apr 2009 1:11 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
The problem is not technical because all current Electrical Plants are fully working to their capacity the problem is short-age of plant to meet the full demand of the country. So at one point or another you have to shut-off power somewhere to turn it on some where that basic math we only produce 70 percent of the power we consume and that the reality.
From: Spain, Ibiza, Minorca, Mallorca
Written by: Belly, 25 Apr 2009 1:03 PM
From: Dominican Republic, San Francisco and Houston,Texas
Before we can eliminate the electrical problem we must put a end to stealing electricity in the co
Belly: With x amount respect, but, you miss the point.
Power has to flow uninterrupted for there to be a 21 Century nation with airports, police, everyday interchanges such as schools and business. When an unreliable, haphazard, sporadic electrical system exists, there is a chaotic situation; It's up to the electrical Companies to prosecute the scofflaws, and power thieves; The decent paying customers can not suffer because someone hasn't paid. That's a lame excuse that can be left to the owner of a "Purperia": No voy a fiar hasta que me paguen los que deben....But, to hold a whole country hostage with this criteria is ludicrous, and quite trivial....No estamos vivendo en los 60s mi pana?
Power to the people; No more sophmoric (extortion) excuses is my demand! Ya 'ta bueno!
Written by: Belly, 25 Apr 2009 2:33 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Arsenio
I understand your point there and i have said this before on a earlier comment on this topic that i even understand why people steal electricity is because the salaries are not enought to pay for the high cost and i even said that the solution is to re-think what the gov should do in this case is move away from fossil fuels because thats what is undermining the current situation. Adding another fossil fuel plant is not going to do nothing in the long run. OTEC,Solar and wind are way better options for dominicans and we must stop now and re-think everything because we will just create bigger problems unless we move away from fossil fuel in the long term. Also communities should be more involve into calling into the authorities when they see stealing taking place because thats what is going to improve the current problem. Is hard to make the case to a investor about a product that once on the shelf could be stolen and lost for ever and we must understand that part of it.
Written by: Juango, 25 Apr 2009 3:49 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Power generation is a money making business in the DR. If it weren't, why would Rolando Bunster (major partner in EGE Haina) aquire the old Cogentrix operation in SPM (300MW) a simple combined cycle (diesel fired turbines), to convert to NG? It is a good business, with goverment guarantees of payment. AES is getting theirs in the sale of NG. There is lots of money made in this industry. The problem is NOT the people not paying their bills, it is the insiders stealing millions every month from CDEE/EDEs. That is the real money drain. I repeat, there is no real interest to fix the electrical problem, as too many folks make too much money as it is. No real effort is made to promote Green Energy. Just try to import PV modules (solar) for personal use, and see the duties you are charged. They want you to buy juice from the grid.
Written by: Juango, 25 Apr 2009 3:52 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
btw there is over 200% (of demand) installed generating capacity in the DR. More plants will not change anything. It is contracts, fuel shortages & cash flow that is the problem.
From: United States, Richmond, Texas
Written by: Juango, 25 Apr 2009 3:52 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
btw there is over 200% (of demand) installed generating capacity in the DR. More plants will not change anything. It is contracts, fuel shortages & cash flow that is the problem. "
How about having people pay for the electricity they are stealing- What a novel idea or is that a technical issue as well. It is hard for any company regardless of what they sell to stay in business if everyone steals what they are selling.
Written by: Belly, 25 Apr 2009 7:13 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Texasshoe
Well said thats what i been trying to say for a while. Is kind of hard to ask a investor for money for a product that once on the shelf will be stole and lost for ever. Any investor that invest in something like that would be considered a dummy and soon a broke ex-investor.
From: Dominican Republic, santiago
seimpre da liqht qot to go lolz
Written by: Grosero, 28 Apr 2009 8:30 AM
From: United States
I was there last June-July- Aug. Miserable is the word. The power went out every morning at 9 sharp....on for 1 hour at noon then if you where lucky the power would come back on at about 4 and then back off at 6 only turn back on at about 11pm.
I'll stay here in Miami Beach ....><<<<)*>
Written by: agibus 
, 29 Apr 2009 11:38 AM
From: United States
Presidente Fernandez knows the problem.Now solution take years to come.Fiat lux.
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http://www.oc.org.do/
click on .."Real time operation" and view spreadsheet (don't update).
It is always TECHNICAL ISSUES....that they are down (not operational).. is it not a technical issue when the "Bank" doesn't fund your account so you may buy more fuel ? This is the first time that I recall the President addressing the "Apagones", in a public forum. Could this be signs of real trouble ahead ???
When the electrical companies come out and say once again nobody paid the bill the egg will be our faces yet again.
R Segura needs to step up to the plate y dar un palo.
you forgot that the Mexicans supply cement and telecom
Venezuela provides the petro
and Miller has begun to be a major player in the alchol industry
So it was a technical problem that caused these brownouts!!! OK, so what was the reason when we had numerous ones over the past weeks, months and years?
I would rather be told the ugly truth and deal with its harsh consequences than be told rosie lies and think everything is well.
Mr. President, we are not that stupid! Please stop uniquely Dominican practice of lying-even when the truth would do.
Just the facts, please, and leave elegance to the tailor.
If you start telling us the truth more often, then maybe we will begin to trust you. Think about it!
He must think all Dominicans are as dumb as tree stumps.
It is the 3500 extra nepotism jobs that have been running it into the ground.
Pitiful, transparently corrupt failed state.
Who is going to believe this bushu? We are not sucking our thumbs here. No money no juice.
When Fernadez can galavant around the world demanding 'transparency' and trying to shake down ($$$$$) the world bank and the IMF; Attending Elite Summit, after Summit: Talkin' 'bout theories that only exist in the minds of milionaire Social Engineers.
He better check out his own house. Before attempting to control the external world.
Transparency: If you live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones!
Fix the problem at home before you go around the world calling wolf. Little boy Leo FR!
You're Global in your mind (lot's of talk), but you're lacking in the local aspect, Mr Joan of Arc JHS.
It's 2009, and we're still dealing with a 50 year old problem: "LOS APAGONES".
When you flip a switch you expect light, not lies!
Good idea. No payment for a month.
But even better.
"uniquely Dominican practice of lying-even when the truth would do."
You can not shame Dominicans into anything, they a transparently corrupt and shameless.
From: Dominican Republic, San Francisco and Houston,Texas
Before we can eliminate the electrical problem we must put a end to stealing electricity in the co
Belly: With x amount respect, but, you miss the point.
Power has to flow uninterrupted for there to be a 21 Century nation with airports, police, everyday interchanges such as schools and business. When an unreliable, haphazard, sporadic electrical system exists, there is a chaotic situation; It's up to the electrical Companies to prosecute the scofflaws, and power thieves; The decent paying customers can not suffer because someone hasn't paid. That's a lame excuse that can be left to the owner of a "Purperia": No voy a fiar hasta que me paguen los que deben....But, to hold a whole country hostage with this criteria is ludicrous, and quite trivial....No estamos vivendo en los 60s mi pana?
Power to the people; No more sophmoric (extortion) excuses is my demand! Ya 'ta bueno!
I understand your point there and i have said this before on a earlier comment on this topic that i even understand why people steal electricity is because the salaries are not enought to pay for the high cost and i even said that the solution is to re-think what the gov should do in this case is move away from fossil fuels because thats what is undermining the current situation. Adding another fossil fuel plant is not going to do nothing in the long run. OTEC,Solar and wind are way better options for dominicans and we must stop now and re-think everything because we will just create bigger problems unless we move away from fossil fuel in the long term. Also communities should be more involve into calling into the authorities when they see stealing taking place because thats what is going to improve the current problem. Is hard to make the case to a investor about a product that once on the shelf could be stolen and lost for ever and we must understand that part of it.
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
btw there is over 200% (of demand) installed generating capacity in the DR. More plants will not change anything. It is contracts, fuel shortages & cash flow that is the problem. "
How about having people pay for the electricity they are stealing- What a novel idea or is that a technical issue as well. It is hard for any company regardless of what they sell to stay in business if everyone steals what they are selling.
Well said thats what i been trying to say for a while. Is kind of hard to ask a investor for money for a product that once on the shelf will be stole and lost for ever. Any investor that invest in something like that would be considered a dummy and soon a broke ex-investor.
I'll stay here in Miami Beach ....><<<<)*>