Joel Santos, the Dominican minister of energy and mines, called on public institutions, businesses, and citizens to save electricity as high temperatures increase demand across the country.
Santos made the appeal on Sunday, warning that forecast heat throughout August will continue to put pressure on the electrical grid. He stated that energy saving efforts must begin within the state, which has launched a government energy efficiency plan establishing mandatory rules for public entities.
The government resolution orders public institutions to regulate air conditioning systems, disconnect unused equipment, schedule high-consumption activities outside peak hours, and submit quarterly reports to track results. Santos said state agencies must lead by example while coordinating with private businesses and residents to optimize power consumption during peak hours.
Extreme heat and record electricity demand
The minister's call follows a week in which the Dominican Republic set three consecutive historical record peaks for satisfied electricity demand, bringing the total to six records during July. The most recent demand record reached 4,330 megawatts.
Extreme heat has driven up power use nationwide. According to the Dominican Institute of Meteorology, the heat index in Greater Santo Domingo reached between 43 and 48 degrees Celsius. In Santiago Rodríguez, air temperatures hit 39.8 degrees Celsius, with heat indices reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Santos noted that these high temperatures have forced families and businesses to run cooling systems more frequently. He explained that citizens do not need to turn off air conditioning entirely, but should use equipment efficiently to reduce grid pressure.
( FUENTE EXTERNA )
To conserve energy, Santos recommended keeping air conditioners set between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius. He also advised turning off unused lights and equipment, unplugging idle chargers, using natural light, and avoiding the simultaneous use of heavy appliances during peak hours.
Electrical system stability and night capacity
Despite growing power consumption, Santos said the Dominican electrical system remains stable due to adequate generation availability that guarantees a continuous supply. He added that the system has proven its ability to handle peak demand periods.
Grid capacity remains sufficient even during nighttime hours when electricity demand peaks and solar power generation drops by about 1,780 megawatts. Santos detailed that nighttime effective generation availability stays between 4,400 and 4,700 megawatts, providing an adequate margin to meet demand.
However, Santos warned that ongoing demand growth makes it necessary to strengthen energy efficiency policies to protect grid reliability over the long term.
Energy Efficiency Law in Congress
Santos urged the National Congress to pass the proposed Energy Efficiency Law. He said the legislation would establish a modern legal framework to strengthen public policy, encourage efficient technologies, and promote responsible consumption habits.
The minister added that energy efficiency is a shared responsibility among the state, the business community, and the public. He called it one of the most effective tools to keep the power system sustainable amid extreme heat, economic expansion, and rising electricity needs.
