Dominican Energy Minister Santos takes reins of electricity distribution council amid persistent losses

Dominican Minister of Energy and Mines Joel Santos has assumed the presidency of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED), a move that consolidates strategic leadership of the electricity sector. Santos, who also heads the Ministry of Energy and Mines and coordinates the Energy Cabinet, will now directly supervise the operations of Edenorte, Edesur, and Edeeste.

His appointment, decreed by President Luis Abinader, comes at a critical juncture as the sector grapples with persistent financial losses. Santos has pledged to implement an administration focused on performance indicators, priority project tracking, and enhanced inter-company coordination. "I am a firm believer that we can all contribute in the same direction. We will work together, seek solutions, and ensure that we all manage the same level of information," he stated.

The primary challenge Santos faces is tackling the historical issue of energy losses, which remain a significant problem. The latest performance report from the Ministry of Energy and Mines indicates that accumulated energy losses over a 12-month period reached 38.9%, a 1.3 percentage point increase compared to the previous year. During the first four months of the year, the three distributors purchased 6,087.4 gigawatt-hours of electricity but only billed 3,829.8 GWh, resulting in a revenue recovery rate of 59%.

Despite government efforts announced in March to stabilize and reduce losses through infrastructure investments, technology, and commercial controls, the numbers highlight the magnitude of the task ahead. These efforts included interventions in 65 substations and maintenance on 1,163 kilometers of distribution lines. Santos's administration aims to foster more robust networks, improve energy control, and enhance user service indicators.

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I am a firm believer that we can all contribute in the same direction. We will work together, seek solutions, and ensure that we all manage the same level of information.