Santo Domingo.- Amidst the blackouts affecting various parts of the country, opposition lawmakers considered that the declaration of
“national emergency” for purchases and contracts in the electricity sector announced by the Government does not offer a definitive solution to the energy crisis, but rather constitutes a hasty measure.
In that sense, the deputy for the Fuerza del Pueblo, Tobías Crespo, said that the entire country should be declared in a state of Emergency, given the government’s ineffectiveness in responding to fundamental issues affecting the population.
“It’s an improvisation, the country is broken on all sides, the part of declaring emergency purchases for the electricity sector is part of the fact that President Luis Abinader has taken all the money for superfluous expenses and they have not made investments,” he said.
Likewise, the deputy for the Dominican Liberation Party (
PLD), Charlie Mariotti Paz said that this measure will not solve anything and that the Government has taken out millions in loans while the electricity service is adrift.
“Emergency purchases are not going to solve anything, energy problems are not solved overnight, they have approved more than 7 million in loans and what they have done is to end the energy service”, said Mariotti Paz.
However, government official Tony Bengoa stated that the government’s decision is part of President Luis Abinader’s responsible exercise to face the country’s challenges.
“From the intention of increasing generation to be able to supply the demand to a growing sector and to make all the correct distribution adjustment, therefore everything that is needed, our government will be at the forefront getting all the tools to be able to offer society the service”, said Bengoa.
By decree 517-25, signed on September 8 by President Luis
Abinader, the Executive Branch authorized electricity distribution companies (EDEs), the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant, and the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company to make acquisitions and contracts expeditiously.
The provision includes works, services, equipment, and specialized consultancies that strengthen the operational capacity of the National Interconnected Electrical System (SENI).
The decree also contemplates the installation of rapid response thermal generation units, as well as the planning and construction of energy storage systems, including battery banks, with the purpose of increasing generation, reducing instability, meeting demand, and strengthening the national electricity grid.
