Prepaid electric meters

[NewsWhore]

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with the Department of Non-Conventional Energy, is planning to install up to 12,000 prepaid electricity meters in the poorer barrios of Santo Domingo and Santiago. The project is funded by a EUR5 million donation from the European Union. The idea is for the families to be able to receive 24/7 electricity and better overall electricity distribution. Salvador Rivas, the head of the Non-Conventional Energy department told Listin Diario reporter Candida Acosta that clients will be able to purchase RD$300 pesos worth of power (or more), and that when it is used, the meter will automatically cut off supply, after first warning the client. The Superintendent of Electricity will set the price of this program in conjunction with the National Energy Commission, although it is not expected to differ from the basic cost of electricity for regular customers under the Blackout Reduction Program (PRA). There will be no billing or invoices under the new system. Dominicans are accustomed to the pre-paid system, as this is the reason why so many poor Dominicans today have cell phones.

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