What is the real problem about electricity supply in DR?

Rafael Rothschild · #1 01-11-2007, 11:52 PM

After several months of reading very good posts in this forum, and, of course, having personally experienced the current problem in DR. Does anybody here have a really educated and well informed answer about the causes of this problem?

I come from a very mountainous country (Spain) and while, many years ago, a dictator (Franco), Similar in style to Trujillo, created a very effective system of dams, which 60 years later is still being applauded for the futuristic vision, and its results are being enjoyed by today's citizens.

Now, this is my question: The DR is also a very mountainous country, with what I believe (I'm not sure about this one) sufficient rivers to create a similar system of dams for energy supply. Why this has not happened in DR?

Is this an engineering impossibility?

Has DR have any nuclear plants producing electricity? (I guess not)

Why, after so many decades of inefficient service, none of the foreign power companies and/or consultants have come to the "profitable" rescue?

What makes it so complicated to provide steady and reliable electrical service, when this is a technology over a 100 years old?

Please, please, I don't want to hear about the corrupt government (while I agree it may be part of the problem) I would like, very much, to know the actual and technical problems that make this a unique DR case.

Thank you

canadian bob · #2 01-12-2007, 05:21 AM

Hey Rafael! One of the many problems is the 40odd year old electrical infrastructure, ancient transformers (and too many connections, legal and otherwise). Innumerable illegal hookups by all classes, commercial and poor folks, with little fear of prosecution. "Nonsensical" contracts signed by the Government whereby payments for power produced are based on the theoretical power output, instead of the actual power produced. Also, the absence of maintenance in all aspects of production, and refusal to fix reported problems doesn't help matters. Canadian Bob.

Chirimoya · #3 01-12-2007, 06:33 AM

There are several dams across the country, and they generate part of the country's electricity supply. IIRC it's about a fifth of the total.

Rocky · #4 01-12-2007, 06:51 AM

The real question is how it manages to work as well as it does.
Factor in the inadequate wiring, lack of knowledge, general lazyness and lack of interest from the employees, and it you will realize how truly amazing it is, that the system works as well as it does.

Mirador · #5 01-12-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

...and it you will realize how truly amazing it is, that the system works as well as it does.

Truly amazing indeed! it works like a rube goldberg device.

holacanada · #6 01-12-2007, 08:13 AM

Very interesting thread. Bravo !
Shocking indeed...

Did they intend to improve some day ?
Maybe in few years when the DR will be fully covered by tourists.

(Offer and Demand ?)

Holacanada from snowy Quebec city
POP in 3

PS : Hydro Energy is one of our best capacity here in Eastern Canada
+ a link (french) about our dams and plants
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_d...ques_au_Québec

heldengebroed · #7 01-12-2007, 08:58 AM

What i find even more amazing is the lack of reaction from the consumer to this black-outs. I know the day i come tot the DR to live i will find a way to be independant from this problem; be it by wind, water or sun

Greetings

Johan

Chip00 · #8 01-12-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael Rothschild

Now, this is my question: The DR is also a very mountainous country, with what I believe (I'm not sure about this one) sufficient rivers to create a similar system of dams for energy supply. Why this has not happened in DR?

Is this an engineering impossibility?

Raffy

I'm a civil engineer by trade and you bring up a very good question. I understand that there are dams on the island but as to why there aren't more given that this is a mountainous country I could only postulate that it may be due to the lack of rivers remaining with large enough watersheds and thus large enough baseflows to justify the investment.

Mirador · #9 01-12-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip00

Raffy

I'm a civil engineer by trade and you bring up a very good question. I understand that there are dams on the island but as to why there aren't more given that this is a mountainous country I could only postulate that it may be due to the lack of rivers remaining with large enough watersheds and thus large enough baseflows to justify the investment.

you can postulate all you want, but the fact remains that the DR has neither the capital nor the credit for the huge investment that dam building represents, and neither the rain water. As a matter of fact, lack of maintanance (dredging...) has significantly reduced the capacity of most dams...

gamana · #10 01-12-2007, 09:47 AM

i think the major issue is a simple unwillingness from the top executive and corporate levels to really fix the problem. Numerous countries worldwide are starting to offer "upfront" cash/loans to help countries set up major alternative energy production (ie: Solar) in order to acquire their gas emission credits. DR could easily benefit from that and overhaul the entire system or reduce the older system to a lesser production level.