Santo Domingo.- Vicini Group CEO Juan Vicini on Tuesday proposed dividing the power grid into two systems: profitable and unprofitable, to establish a real (not subsidized) rate for circuits that can afford it, to spur private investment in the sector, and warned that Dominican Republic must invest in Haiti “to avert entering a catastrophe.”

“People who can pay the energy shouldn’t have a subsidy,” the mogul said.

Vicini said a mechanism can be established for unprofitable circuits to guarantee their inclusion in the service, such as installing solar panels to supply a particular demand and provide their surplus to the system.

Speaking in the American Chamber of Commerce seminar “Electricity sector: problems, challenges and opportunities at the gates of a grand pact,” the business leader warned of the imminent increase in energy demand in Haiti and Dominican Republic, from a young population with high growth prospects.

In his dissertation “Energy market projection: supplied demand vs. satisfied demographics,” Vicini said that’s reason the public and private sectors should establish strategies to deal with increased demand for public services and jobs. “If the foundations to deal with the situation that lies ahead aren’t created, the country cannot respond to the new reality.”

He justified Vicini Group’s considerable investments in the energy sector, despite that the country doesn’t have a shortage in supply.

Vicini also justified his business vision that includes Haiti, noting the neighboring country’s unfavorable conditions that he affirms spurs immigration to the Dominican Republic. “We must establish the minimum amount of investment to avert entering a catastrophe.”