Spanish
The investments that electric distribution companies (EDCs) make to streamline and maintain the distribution system registered a decrease of US$11.8 million in the first five months of 2025, despite the announcement made in August 2024 by the president of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (EDEs), Celso Marranzini, of an investment of more than US$650 million to improve the system and reduce losses.
From January to May 2025, the EDEs record investments executed for an amount of US$78.6 million, for a decrease of US$11.8 million year-on-year.
However, operating expenses rose by more than US$9.0 million, after a total of US$182.1 million in expenses were recorded in that period, according to the Performance Report of State Electric Companies as of May 2025.
According to Marranzini in August 2024, the State would invest US$650 million dollars, which would be obtained through financing from multilateral organizations.
With that investment, a significant reduction in the deficit of the EDEs was projected for 2027, which will allow for an improvement in service quality and greater proximity to customers.
The inability to execute the investments promised in the EDEs is probably the reason why the Executive Branch issued decree 517-25 last Wednesday, in which it declares a national emergency for purchases and contracts in the electricity sector.
With this decree, both the EDEs, as well as the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant and the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company, will be able to make acquisitions and contracts exempt.
These purchases and contracts include works, services, equipment, and specialized consultancies aimed at streamlining the operations of the National Interconnected Electrical System (SENI).
