Joel Santos assumes the presidency of the CUED and the Energy Cabinet
In a major reconfiguration of the Dominican electricity sector, President Luis Abinader has formalized through Decree no. 556-26 the appointment of Joel Santos as the new president of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED). With this designation, Santos also assumes the coordination of the Energy Cabinet, consolidating the Government’s energy strategy under his command.
Joel Santos, who until now served as Minister of Energy and Mines, replaces Celso Marranzini in the position. Marranzini had been at the head of the CUED since the end of 2023, leading the management of the state-owned distributors Edesur, Edenorte, and Edeeste during a period marked by operational and financial challenges in the national electricity system.
Strategic changes in the energy sector
The transition implies that the Government centralizes the supervision of the sector under the leadership of Santos. This strategic move seeks to optimize inter-institutional coordination and the monitoring of public energy policies. Among the main responsibilities of the new head are:
- The direction and coordination of the Unified Council of Distribution Companies (CUED).
- The articulation of strategic policies from the Energy Cabinet.
- Constant monitoring of the operational and financial performance of electricity distributors.
- The supervision of government projects aimed at strengthening the country’s energy system.
The arrival of Joel Santos at the CUED and the Energy Cabinet places under his responsibility one of the most sensitive and vital components of the national energy sector, focusing on the continuous improvement of the Dominican electricity system.
The decree formalizing these changes annuls the previous appointment of Celso Marranzini, as well as the article of the previous decree that linked Santos to the Ministry of Energy and Mines. For the moment, the Executive Branch has not provided details on whether Marranzini will assume new functions within the public administration after his departure from the CUED.
This decision, supported by the constitutional powers of the President of the Republic and the Organic Law of Public Administration, marks a new direction in energy management, with a direct focus on operational efficiency and the execution of the electrical development plans promoted by the State.
