Electric utility uncovers major losses in upscale sector

Santo Domingo.- The CEO of the State-owned electric utility (CDEEE) Wednesday said many customers in the upscale sector Puerta de Hierro who consume high amounts of energy pay as if they were poor, and 37% pay a bill of up to 200 kilos monthly, as in any poor barrio, but barely 4.3% show consumption of over 700 kilowatts per month.

Celso Marranzini said the annual losses just in that sector surpass RD$7.7 million with which it could buy hundreds streetlamps for the streets of the poorest barrios.

He said 102 customers in that a upper middle-class sector have homes with swimming pools, several air conditioners and other luxuries of any people of high income, who would qualify for the subsidy which the Government provides for the poorest.

The official said Puerta de Hierro consumed RD$17.6 million in energy from June 2011 to March 2012, but collected only RD$9.8 million, for a loss of RD$7.7 million, but noted however that there are also honest citizens in the sector who pay for what they consume.