Joel Santos Replaces Celso Marranzini At CUED

President Luis Abinader has appointed Joel Adrián Santos Echavarría as president of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED) and coordinator of the Energy Cabinet, marking a change in leadership at the government bodies responsible for coordinating key areas of the Dominican Republic’s electricity sector.

The appointment was made through Decree No. 556-26, issued on August 16. Santos replaces Celso Marranzini, who had headed the CUED. The measure was adopted under the constitutional powers of the presidency and the provisions of the Organic Law of Public Administration.

Santos Takes Over Two Energy Coordination Roles

In his new position, Santos will oversee coordination of the CUED, the body associated with the country’s electricity distribution companies. He will also lead the coordination of strategic energy policies through the Energy Cabinet, bringing the two responsibilities under the same official.

The arrangement places Santos at the center of government coordination involving the electricity distribution system and broader energy policy. For the Dominican Republic, where electricity generation, transmission and distribution are managed through a combination of public institutions and companies, the CUED plays a role in coordinating matters involving the distribution companies.

Previous Appointments Revoked

Decree 556-26 also repeals the CUED-related appointment established by Decree No. 667-23, issued December 29, 2023, as well as Article 2 of Decree No. 444-24, dated August 15, 2024.

The decree instructs the relevant institutions to receive and implement the measure. No additional changes to the structure or responsibilities of the CUED are specified in the information released with the appointment.

Santos will therefore assume his new responsibilities as the government’s designated coordinator for the CUED and Energy Cabinet following the presidential decision of August 16.