Venezuelan Government responds to increased demand for electricity

Venezuelan Government to put in motion 34 projects nationwide to boost electric system

Caracas, Nov 03. ABN - The Venezuelan Government approved 413 million bolivares (US$ 192 million) to put in motion 34 projects called critical priorities 2009, which would generate, transfer and distribute other 1,474 megawatts to the national electric system.

The information was given by the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez Frias in a Minister Council held at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.

The projects should be fully working by December 2010.

The works include:

Anzoategui (northeastern Venezuela), repairing the Plant of Guanta to generate 50 megawatts and the turbines in Pariaguan that will add other 5 megawatts. Fourteen million bolivares (6.5 million) were allocated for such purpose.
Also in Anzoategui, the Venezuelan Government will work in the addition of distributed generation 2009 in Barcelona, Cantaura and Santa Ana, which would add other 20 megawatts for a sum of 22.3 million bolivares (US$ 10.4 million).
In Apure (central Venezuela), 8.8 million bolivares (US$ 4.1 million) were approved for the distributed generation plan 2009 in La Mancanilla and Guasdualito that will produce 17 megawatts.
In Aragua (northern Venezuela), works will be executed in Camatagua, Corinza and San Jacinto to generate 39 megawatts for which 19.5 million bolivares (US$ 9.1 million) were allocated.
In Bolivar (eastern Venezuela), distributed generation will be aimed at Caicara del Orinoco, Fuerte Callaurima, Pijiguaos and Tumeremo to produce 54 megawatts with an investment of 31 million bolivares (US$ 14.4 million).
In Callaurima, ten million bolivares (US$ 4.7 million) were approved for a provisional sub-station.
In Carabobo (northern Venezuela), the machine number 4 of the Planta Centro, paralyzed due to maintenance, is already active and generating 300 megawatts.
Likewise, in Carabobo, the machine number 1 of the Planta Centro is under reparation for which 71 million bolivares were approved and it will generate 400 megawatts for the national electric system.
In Falcon (northwestern Venezuela), there were approved 312 million bolivares (US$ 145 million) to improve the Plant Josefa Camejo and add 150 megawatts.
In Lara (western Venezuela), forty megawatts will be generated with the maintenance of the Plant Algiro Gavaldon for a sum of 12.5 million bolivares (US$ 5.8 million).
In Monagas (northeastern Venezuela), the Government approved 8.7 million bolivares (US$ 4.1 million) to improve the circuit of Santa Barbara and repair a 20 megawatts unit.
In Nueva Esparta (i.e. Margarita Island in northeastern Venezuela), there will be installed a generation plant of 20 megawatts for a sum of 13.2 million bolivares (US$ 6.14 million).

It is also worth mentioning that the resources approved for the execution of these works will come from the Micro-financial Development Fund (Fondemi).

MINCI