Venezuela imposes electricity blackouts

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It has started Drought in the rain forrest region's

Venezuela has imposed an electricity rationing programme which will lead to four-hour blackouts every week across the country.


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President Hugo Chavez said the rationing was necessary to combat an energy crisis.

The cuts will take place in different areas around the country every other day, adding to blackouts which often affect the south.


The announcement came days after Mr Chavez devalued Venezuela's currency.

The government recently reduced the hours of electricity supply for shopping centres and required businesses and large residential complexes to cut energy use by 20 per cent or face fines.

Water levels in Guri Dam – the cornerstone of Venezuela's energy system – are threatening to fall to critical lows, causing a widespread power collapse.

Drought has cut the flow of water into the dam, which feeds three hydroelectric plants that supply 73 per cent of Venezuela's electricity.