Short ‘n’ Stubby: Venezuela Electric

Ms. Manx has three interesting linkies for y’all…all about Venezuela and how it plans to deal with its electrical needs, both present and future. And one dumb-as-fuck one, just for “fairness” and “balance”.

First up, Chavecito has extended the current state of emergency and rationing for another 60 days, while the country waits for the summer rainy season to start and fill up the Guri Dam reservoir. The Guri is responsible for at least 70% of the country’s total needs, so it’s vital to get that one up to scratch. The rains normally start in May. The reason for the extension? To make sure everything’s fully recuperated. Meanwhile, the government has put $5 billion (US) into thermoelectric generation, with the intention that it account for half of all power generation in Venezuela in 5 years. Thermoelectric plants have already come online in several Venezuelan states, so that’s good news.

And there’s more good news, although it’s for the longer term: By 2025, Venezuela is expected to draw at least 10% of its electricity from windpower. This would put it on a par with several European nations, most notably Germany.

And on a local level, solar energy generation is growing in the Andean regions of Venezuela, which are more difficult to connect to a conventional grid. And yes, there’s a government program for that: “Sembrando Luz”, or “Sowing Light” (a spinoff of the old slogan, “sembrar el petróleo”, “to sow the oil”–meaning, the investment of oil revenues in public projects.)

Oh yeah, and Rory Carroll still haz Teh Stoopid. So what’s new? If he ever manages to crawl out of those tony wine bars where he sups with the oppos, and gets it together long enough to write something intelligent, Ms. Manx will be truly surprised.