The announcement comes as daily protests erupt across multiple regions over blackouts lasting up to 16 hours. Alcalá attributed the increased strain on the system to economic activity recovery, elevated temperatures linked to the El Niño phenomenon, and June earthquakes that delayed existing repair schedules. Government officials have consistently blamed international sanctions for preventing spare parts procurement, though opposition groups and independent experts attribute the crisis to corruption and maintenance failures.
Juan Fernández, president of state utility Corporación Eléctrica Nacional (Corpoelec), highlighted transmission infrastructure improvements including the expansion of a Planta Centro substation with a new autotransformer scheduled for late November commissioning. The equipment will enable power transmission to the Andean region, another area experiencing severe supply disruptions. Alcalá emphasized that Venezuela gained access this year to original parts from leading global manufacturers, marking a shift from previous constraints.
The government is advancing renewable energy projects including the Machango solar park in Zulia, expected to begin operations in 2027. Authorities expressed confidence in forthcoming reforms to electricity sector legislation that will facilitate public-private integration. The administration has signed agreements with General Electric, Siemens, and Argentina’s Impsa to support grid rehabilitation efforts. Fernández confirmed that routine maintenance operations proceed daily across the national system as part of the broader stabilization strategy. A turbine at the Rafael Urdaneta thermoelectric complex in Zulia began operation in early October, with officials projecting grid synchronization within 72 hours.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
