Termozulia adds 150 megawatts to Venezuela's national electricity system

Vice president of Public Works and Services Juan José Ramírez said on the evening of Tuesday, October 6, that thermoelectric generating unit TZ7 at Termozulia had been synchronized, adding 150 megawatts to the Sistema Eléctrico Nacional, according to the digital outlet El Pitazo.

The addition of this unit, together with TZ5, which was integrated on Monday, October 5, brings the total to 300 megawatts to meet energy demand in the western region and in the state of Zulia, according to official data published by the outlet. The electricity system operates on a highly weakened infrastructure, in which the country's thermoelectric generation runs at less than 15% of its total capacity, while the Central Hidroeléctrica del Guri operates at about 60% of its potential because several turbines are out of service, according to El Nacional, which cited estimates from Ecoanalítica.

This widespread shortfall in energy supply is causing recurring failures and rationing of up to 10 hours a day in various regions of the country. In this context, the commercial and industrial sector faces serious operational difficulties, as reflected in the fact that 70% of businesses and industries rate the electricity service negatively, according to data from the consultancy cited by El Nacional.

Going forward, the stability of the service and the operating capacity of companies will depend on the evolution of investment in infrastructure and on the backup energy plans that the various productive sectors implement.