NewsWhore
01-04-2008, 06:00 PM
President Leonel Fernandez believes that finding solutions to the electricity problems in the DR, now with rising petroleum prices, is the greatest challenge that his government will face in 2008. Fernandez made his comments while swearing in members of the board of directors of the new Transmision de Electricidad Dominicana (ETED) and Generacion Hidroelectrica Dominicana (EGEHID) energy companies. To this end, the government's subsidies for the energy bill was previously set at US$60 million in 2007, but with prices climbing almost daily Hoy reports that the subsidy is likely to rise to US$125 million. Energy Superintendent Francisco Mendez said yesterday that the cost of energy to consumers would not increase and added that the government has guaranteed the supply of 85% of the energy demand.
Also, State-run Electricity Company vice president Radhames Segura said the government would subsidize the energy sector with US$125 million in order to keep prices stable in the light of the continued increase in crude oil prices. He called on consumers to pay their energy bills on time, adding that it is a privilege to receive energy at that price in the DR because of the cost of petroleum. Segura, quoted in Listin Diario, said that the current energy situation is worrisome for the DR. He said that the goal is to keep local businesses and private consumers from depending on emergency generators, which are more expensive to run. He added that next month energy sector officials would meet to try to come up with additional measures to mitigate the increase in petroleum prices. Nevertheless, Segura said that the DR managed to reduce its energy bill by US$15 million in 2007 and added that the DR has re-signed the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela. Segura urged the government to put its energy saving plan, announced in November 2007, into action. Segura said that certain government measures, like the renegotiation of agreements like the Madrid Accord, and the imminent change from diesel fuel to natural gas by Cogentrix has led to better energy distribution and added that in 2008 losses in the energy sector could be reduced to US$98 million.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)
Also, State-run Electricity Company vice president Radhames Segura said the government would subsidize the energy sector with US$125 million in order to keep prices stable in the light of the continued increase in crude oil prices. He called on consumers to pay their energy bills on time, adding that it is a privilege to receive energy at that price in the DR because of the cost of petroleum. Segura, quoted in Listin Diario, said that the current energy situation is worrisome for the DR. He said that the goal is to keep local businesses and private consumers from depending on emergency generators, which are more expensive to run. He added that next month energy sector officials would meet to try to come up with additional measures to mitigate the increase in petroleum prices. Nevertheless, Segura said that the DR managed to reduce its energy bill by US$15 million in 2007 and added that the DR has re-signed the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela. Segura urged the government to put its energy saving plan, announced in November 2007, into action. Segura said that certain government measures, like the renegotiation of agreements like the Madrid Accord, and the imminent change from diesel fuel to natural gas by Cogentrix has led to better energy distribution and added that in 2008 losses in the energy sector could be reduced to US$98 million.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)