Venezuelan authorities report blackout in 10 states

The general director of the National Center for Power Delivery (CND), Igor Gaviria, on Wednesday informed that a failure in three 400 kV-power transmission lines from Hurí dam, southeast Venezuela, led to a blackout in 10 states of the Venezuelan territory.

The official explained that the blackout was caused by a fire at one of the power transmission lines. The blackout then extended to other two power transmission lines. According to Gaviria, that the initial power loss was 5,200 megawatts (MW). Other 1,800 MW were disabled for security reasons.

Overall, 7,000 MW were out of service, that is, nearly 40% of total power consumption, which stands at 18,000 MW, according to information provided by authorities last year. 

Gaviria seized the opportunity to urge the population to make rational use of energy as he attributed failures to excess consumption.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera