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SANTO DOMINGO.- Amid allegations of corruption in the Government’s energy sectors and tax evasion by some power companies and a cement maker, a massive blackout pummeled the Dominican Republic at approximately 11:35 a.m., said Electricity superintendent Francisco Méndez.

It’s the first major blackout since 2005.

However the official said the system began to recover with 750 megawatts of output already available by 4 p.m.

The blackout was sparked when the power plant AES Andres, which regulates the national grid went off line, dragging with it a series of other plants.

Méndez affirmed that the cause of the blackout will be disclosed tomorrow.

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COMMENTS
11 comment(s)
Written by: juanb, 15 Jul 2009 5:02 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Segura travels, DR gets blackouts
Controversial Executive Vice President of the Dominican State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE) Radhames Segura traveled to the Middle East to accompany President Leonel Fernandez, while on the home front 12-hour+ blackouts are back. The blackouts follow two major increases in power rates levied on paying consumers.
The blackouts are occurring due to long-standing arrears in paying agreed upon subsidies to generation companies.

Written by: juanb, 15 Jul 2009 5:05 PM
From: Dominican Republic
According to the Superintendence of Electricity, average generation on Tuesday, 14 July was 1,342 MW while demand was 1,809 MW.
The CDEEE reported that the service would improve on Tuesday, when the AES Andres power plant in Boca Chica went online. Service was also affected in the metropolitan south area due to the shutdown of Itabo I.
Radhames Segura has been in the press after TV investigative journalist Nuria Piera revealed details of the bloated CDEEE payroll. Piera found that Segura had even included more than 40 members of his own family circle on the payroll, which is said to be 10 times larger than what would be needed to run the electricity department efficiently.

Sure would like to hear a comment from one of our trusted government officials. Oh, that's right, there are none.
Written by: Ricardolito, 15 Jul 2009 6:22 PM
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
How can the population tolerate all this ..the heat is intense and everyone needs power for a fan and a refrigerator and yet this government does nothing
Written by: texasshoe, 15 Jul 2009 6:57 PM
From: United States, Richmond, Texas
Business as usual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How does the Metro get its power?
Written by: chillaxin201 This user is banned, 16 Jul 2009 1:06 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Boycott Dominican Tourism
either Dominicans will learn or they'll stay in the Dark..... Literally
Written by: Grosero, 16 Jul 2009 7:03 AM
From: United States
I bought an inverter and batteries. F- the power-blackouts



Written by: gmiller261, 16 Jul 2009 8:29 AM
From: United States
Segura should be in jail.
Written by: Adrian29630, 16 Jul 2009 12:08 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
You are absolutely right he should be in jail. The question that comes to mind though is what does Segura have on LF that stops him being fired and investigated? Does he know too much about what really is going on to be dismissed?
Written by: joopjoop, 16 Jul 2009 6:21 PM
From: Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris
he has prob. a nice ass ....

Written by: anthonyC, 16 Jul 2009 6:25 PM
From: United States
Want electricity 24/7?

PRIVATIZE!!
Written by: okian, 17 Jul 2009 8:58 AM
From: United States
I agree with texasshoe but only add one word, "CORRUPT business as usual".
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