Citizens call EDE’s justification for electricity bill hike a “cheap excuse”
The recent explanation offered by the Electricity Distribution Companies (EDE), which attributes the increase in electricity bills to higher energy consumption due to high temperatures, has generated strong rejection among users. Citizens consulted by Alofoke Deportes maintain that, although the heat motivates more frequent use of air conditioning equipment, the current cost of the service is disproportionate and difficult for the family budget to bear.
Johanna Veloz, one of the citizens consulted, described the distributors’ argument as a “cheap excuse.” According to Veloz, the justification ignores the economic reality that Dominican households are going through, where the high cost of living is aggravated by bills that, in her view, do not reflect an increase proportional to energy usage.
Electricity is becoming too expensive and no one can put up with that. Everything is going up in price daily and the impact on the electricity bill is unsustainable for the population.
Johanna Veloz, citizen consulted
Impact on merchants and residential users
The perception that the service is expensive extends to the commercial sector. Veloz, who also operates a business, relates that customers are forced to top up their energy more frequently, with their balance running out in very short periods of time. “People come in, put 200 pesos of electricity in, and the next day they no longer have service,” he pointed out, ruling out that the problem is a matter of irregular connections or energy theft.
Others consulted went further, demanding a reduction in rates. They argue that the use of fans and basic appliances is a common household necessity and that families are already limiting their consumption as much as possible to try to keep bills under control.
Voices question the reliability of the service
The discontent is not limited solely to the price. José Méndez, another person consulted, stated that he has received high bills even during periods when the electricity supply was poor or non-existent. “That is a big lie. The bill always arrives high, even if one doesn’t have power,” he asserted, recounting that he faced service failures for three consecutive months.
For his part, Rafael Carlatillo adopted a mixed stance. While he acknowledged that high temperatures lead to higher consumption, he emphasized that citizens’ finances do not increase at the same rate as temperatures. “The poor person continues to earn the same salary, so any increase in the bill represents extra pressure that cannot be covered,” he explained.
The wiring factor according to experts
Beyond the rates, Francisco Brito, an electrician with two decades of experience, focused on a technical factor: the state of the installations. Brito maintains that the problem lies in the quality of the wiring in homes.
- Cable heating increases electricity consumption.
- Many residential installations have wiring in poor condition.
- Overheating of installations is a factor that increases energy expenditure beyond the use of equipment.
Brito concluded that, more than the weather, the electrical system faces structural deficiencies in homes that cause inefficient consumption, calling for a review of electrical installations as part of the solution to the cost problem.
