NewsWhore
05-05-2009, 06:20 PM
In the Dominican Republic, with an area of 48,422 square kilometers, 12 generating businesses that have, all together, 31 plants make up the National Interconnected Electricity System (SENI). According to estimates, the electricity service has been deficient for 40 or 50 years. Blackouts are common in the country.
On the Electricity Superintendence webpage, an executive summary by the SENI details how the Haina Generating facility has nine plants, Itabo has four, Metaldom has one, Laesa (La Electricidad de Santiago) has two, Hidroelectricas has one, and Union Fenosa has two. Likewise, Seaboard has two, Puerto Plata Electric Company (CEPP) has two, Monte Rio has one, AES Dominicana has three, San Felipe has one (the former Smith-Enron), and the San Pedro de Macoris Electricity Company has three (formerly Cogentrix). The plants, 31 in all, averaged 1,204 megawatts as of 30 April 2009, despite the fact that they have the capacity to generate a total of 3,067 megawatts, which leaves 1,853 megawatts unused. The demand for electricity is around 2,200 megawatts. Of the 31 plants that make up the SENI, nine are not in operation, such as: Haina II for generator repairs, San Pedro Steam and Puerto Plata I by administrative order. Also off line are Puerto Plata II with boiler issues; Barahona Coal-fired, undergoing a major overhaul, Itabo Turbo Gas, by administrative orde,; AES Andres is undergoing maintenance; Macoris II for major overhaul and Macoris III for inspection of the combustion chamber.
According to the Superintendence of Electricity and El Caribe newspaper, the country's three electricity distribution companies have 1,331,230 customers. As of today, Ede-Norte has 611,521 customers, Ede-Sur has 370,947 and Ede-Este has 348,762.
Electricity expert Jose Luis Moreno San Juan, consulted on this issue, said that another problem is that "some of the generating plants are totally dismantled", adding: "Here 1800 megawatts and in peak hours 1900 megawatts have been supplied, but the demand is for 2,200." He said that at least five new 300-megawatt facilities should have been installed to establish a supply base. He pointed out that two coal-fired plants at Itabo are selling electricity at 14 and 17 cents (US$) while a similar facility in Puerto Plata is selling energy at 6 and 7 cents. He said that excessive prices are part of the problem and called for a 12-cent electricity rate for residential consumers.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
On the Electricity Superintendence webpage, an executive summary by the SENI details how the Haina Generating facility has nine plants, Itabo has four, Metaldom has one, Laesa (La Electricidad de Santiago) has two, Hidroelectricas has one, and Union Fenosa has two. Likewise, Seaboard has two, Puerto Plata Electric Company (CEPP) has two, Monte Rio has one, AES Dominicana has three, San Felipe has one (the former Smith-Enron), and the San Pedro de Macoris Electricity Company has three (formerly Cogentrix). The plants, 31 in all, averaged 1,204 megawatts as of 30 April 2009, despite the fact that they have the capacity to generate a total of 3,067 megawatts, which leaves 1,853 megawatts unused. The demand for electricity is around 2,200 megawatts. Of the 31 plants that make up the SENI, nine are not in operation, such as: Haina II for generator repairs, San Pedro Steam and Puerto Plata I by administrative order. Also off line are Puerto Plata II with boiler issues; Barahona Coal-fired, undergoing a major overhaul, Itabo Turbo Gas, by administrative orde,; AES Andres is undergoing maintenance; Macoris II for major overhaul and Macoris III for inspection of the combustion chamber.
According to the Superintendence of Electricity and El Caribe newspaper, the country's three electricity distribution companies have 1,331,230 customers. As of today, Ede-Norte has 611,521 customers, Ede-Sur has 370,947 and Ede-Este has 348,762.
Electricity expert Jose Luis Moreno San Juan, consulted on this issue, said that another problem is that "some of the generating plants are totally dismantled", adding: "Here 1800 megawatts and in peak hours 1900 megawatts have been supplied, but the demand is for 2,200." He said that at least five new 300-megawatt facilities should have been installed to establish a supply base. He pointed out that two coal-fired plants at Itabo are selling electricity at 14 and 17 cents (US$) while a similar facility in Puerto Plata is selling energy at 6 and 7 cents. He said that excessive prices are part of the problem and called for a 12-cent electricity rate for residential consumers.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)