Caracas.– The Government of Venezuela announced that it is working on a plan to increase the supply of methane gas to the domestic market with the purpose of reinforcing electricity generation and also supplying the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.
The Vice President of Gas at the state-owned company Pdvsa, Jannier Viloria, reported that the goal is to reach a distribution of 2 billion cubic feet of gas by December, as part of a strategy to strengthen the national energy system.
The official assured that the supply of methane gas is guaranteed in the country and explained that a significant part of the increase in production will be destined for thermoelectric plants, with the aim of improving electricity generation capacity.
The initiative is being developed amidst constant electrical service problems affecting different regions of Venezuela, especially outside of Caracas. While the Government attributes these failures to international sanctions and alleged acts of sabotage, opposition sectors and specialists believe they are due to the deterioration of infrastructure and a lack of maintenance.
We recommend reading:
As part of the efforts to expand generation capacity, the Executive also recently signed an additional agreement with the company Impsa to resume the construction of the Tocoma hydroelectric plant, located in Bolívar state.
Venezuelan authorities expect the completion of that project to allow for the incorporation of 2,640 megawatts into the National Electric System through the installation of ten generating units.
The Tocoma hydroelectric plant began construction in 2007 during the administration of former president Hugo Chávez, but the works were paralyzed years later when they had reached more than 87% completion, according to data released by independent organizations.
