Venezuela's electricity grid to increase capacity by 4,000 MW

Outgoing Electricity Minister Alí Rodríguez Araque said that the government has invested VEB 32.9 billion (USD 7.65 billion) between 1999 and 2011 to develop the national electricity system

EL UNIVERSAL

Monday January 30, 2012 02:51 PM

Alí Rodríguez Araque, the outgoing Minister of Electricity, said that 4,000 megawatts will be added to the national electricity system in 2012. This additional power will be generated by new and refurbished equipment.

He added that between 1999 and 2011, the Venezuelan government invested VEB 32.9 billion (USD 7.65 billion) to develop the national electricity system, state-run news agency Agencia Venezolana de Noticias (AVN) said.

Rodríguez Araque will be the new Secretary-General of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) since May 9, 2012. He believes that the energy crisis recorded in Venezuela in 2010 was "essentially" resolved. He will be replaced by Héctor Navarro.

Rodríguez Araque said that the government is investing USD 6 billion in the construction of the Tocoma Dam, in southern Bolívar state.

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