EDE loses 41.7% of the energy purchased and CREES calls for structural reform

The Electricity Distribution Companies (EDEs) recorded losses equivalent to 41.7% of the energy purchased in the first five months of 2025, according to data from the Regional Center for Sustainable Economic Strategies (CREES). The organization maintains that these figures reflect the urgent need to reform the current model and convert these public entities into sustainable and efficient companies. Of the 7,895.5 GWh acquired by the EDEs between January and May, 3,020.5 GWh (38.3%) were not billed. To this is added an additional 3.4% corresponding to energy billed but not collected, totaling 41.7% in losses. Furthermore, the General Budget Directorate (Digepres) reported that, until June, the EDEs received RD$42,003.07 million in state transfers, which is equivalent to 51.2% of the total budgeted for the year. The CREES warns that these losses impose a significant burden on taxpayers, who subsidize an inefficient system. “A reform is required that allows the business risk to be assumed by private investors, not by citizens through their taxes,” the entity expressed on the social network X.

Energy crisis and citizen protests

The deterioration of the electrical service has unleashed a wave of protests, strikes, and blockades in different regions of the country. Users report blackouts of up to 12 hours a day, which affects businesses, homes, and citizen security. The crisis worsened with the temporary shutdown of a unit at the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant, although other plants such as Itabo, Los Mina and Siba Energy also presented failures, causing a deficit of more than 600 megawatts, as explained by Celso Marranzini, president of the Unified Council of the EDE. Despite the critical situation, Marranzini assured that the problem will be resolved before the end of 2025.