Dominican Republic Rules Out Electricity Rate Increase

The Dominican Republic’s electricity sector is not preparing an increase in energy rates, Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos said, clarifying that authorities are instead concentrating on strengthening the power system and improving the performance of the country’s electricity distributors.

Santos, who also chairs the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED), said potential tariff adjustments are referenced in the 2025-2028 National Multi-Year Public Sector Plan. However, he emphasized that the reference does not represent a decision or an ongoing process to implement higher electricity rates.

Focus Shifts to System Performance

The immediate priority for the Ministry of Energy and Mines and other institutions overseeing the sector is to improve the reliability and sustainability of the electricity system. Authorities are working to expand generation capacity while making distribution more efficient.

The strategy is aimed at improving the quality of electricity service while addressing several challenges at the same time. Santos said progress requires a coordinated approach covering generation, transmission, distribution, efficiency and management rather than relying on a single measure.

Government Targets Distribution Losses

Reducing technical and commercial losses at Edenorte, Edesur and EDE Este remains another major priority. The three companies operate the Dominican Republic’s electricity distribution networks and have faced persistent losses that affect their financial performance.

According to Santos, efforts are focused on upgrading distribution networks, improving operational efficiency, strengthening electricity measurement and regularizing users. These measures are intended to improve the financial and operational performance of the distributors without relying on a higher tariff as the immediate solution.

The government’s approach places greater emphasis on improving the underlying efficiency of the electricity system. That includes increasing available generation, strengthening distribution infrastructure and improving management practices across the sector.

Tariff Reference Does Not Mean an Increase Is Underway

The clarification is relevant for households and businesses concerned about electricity costs, particularly because the possibility of future tariff adjustments appears in the government’s medium-term public-sector planning documents.

For now, however, Santos said there is no tariff increase being considered as an active process. The sector’s current agenda centers on improving service performance and reducing the losses that weigh on the finances of the distribution companies.

The government’s stated objective is to make the electricity system more sustainable by addressing its structural challenges across generation, transmission and distribution while improving efficiency and management.