SantoDomingo.-The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, called on public institutions, the private business sector and the population to make more efficient and responsible use of electricity, given the persistence of high temperatures and the projections that these conditions will continue during August, which increases the pressure on the demand of the national electrical system.

He emphasized that the effort must begin from the State itself, which is why the Ministry of Energy and Mines launched the Government Energy Efficiency Plan: Guidelines and Manual of Action, through Resolution R-MEM-ADM-019-2026, which establishes mandatory measures for all public institutions, aimed at reducing unnecessary consumption and promoting a culture of rational energy use.

The resolution provides, among other actions, to regulate the use of air conditioning systems, disconnect equipment that is not being used, schedule high-consumption activities outside of peak hours and periodically monitor the results through quarterly reports.

The minister indicated that these measures seek to ensure that government entities lead by example and that this commitment is accompanied by the private sector and citizens.

"From the Government we are promoting a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy. We have already implemented mandatory measures in public institutions and we work in a coordinated manner with the private sector to promote actions that allow us to optimize electricity consumption, especially during periods of greatest demand, due to the pressure that the system is receiving," he said.

Extreme heat keeps demand high

The call from Minister Joel Santos coincides with a week in which the country recorded three consecutive historical maximums of satisfied demands, events that completed six records during July, the most recent of 4,330 megawatts (MW), in the midst of an intense heat wave.

According to the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet), the thermal sensation has been recorded between 43 and 48 degrees Celsius in Greater Santo Domingo and in Santiago Rodríguez, temperatures reached 39.8 degrees Celsius, thermal sensations of up to 50 degrees. These conditions explain the increase in the use of air conditioners and other air conditioning equipment in homes, businesses and industries.

Santos recognized that these temperatures force many families and companies to use cooling systems more frequently to cope with the heat.

“It is not about stopping using air conditioning equipment, but about doing it efficiently. Small savings actions can significantly contribute to reducing the pressure on the system without affecting people's well-being,” he said.

In that sense, I recommended keeping air conditioners between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius, turning off lights and equipment when they are not being used, disconnecting chargers and other devices that remain connected unnecessarily, taking advantage of natural lighting and avoiding, as much as possible, the simultaneous use of high-consumption appliances during hours of greatest demand.

The head of Energy and Mines explained that, despite the sustained growth in electricity consumption, the system has responded in a stable manner thanks to the availability of generation, guaranteeing a continuous and reliable supply, despite the pressures that the electrical system is receiving at this juncture.

He specified that, during nighttime hours, when demand reaches its highest levels and solar generation stops contributing around 1,780 MW, the system maintains an effective availability of between 4,400 and 4,700 MW, a sufficient margin to meet the expected demand.

"The Dominican electrical system has demonstrated its ability to respond, even in times of maximum demand and despite the pressure it receives. Our commitment is to continue guaranteeing a reliable supply, but we also need everyone's support through more efficient and responsible consumption of energy," he stated.

However, he warned that the sustained growth in demand requires strengthening energy efficiency policies to reduce pressure on the network and preserve the reliability of the service.

Legal framework for a savings culture

The minister reiterated the importance of the National Congress approving the Energy Efficiency Law, considering that it will provide the country with a modern legal framework to strengthen savings policies, encourage the use of more efficient technologies and consolidate a culture of responsible consumption.

"It is essential that the country has an Energy Efficiency Law that strengthens public policies and promotes a more rational use of energy in all sectors. This legislation will be a key tool to reduce unnecessary consumption and make our energy system more competitive and sustainable," he said.

Santos stated that energy efficiency constitutes a shared responsibility between the State, the business sector and citizens, which represents one of the most effective tools to guarantee the sustainability of the electrical system in a context of extreme temperatures, economic growth and an ever-increasing demand for electricity.