Venezuela relies heavily on hydroelectric power generation but has been suffering from a long and heavy drought. Now it’s taking desperate action, introducing a three-day weekend to help reduce demand for electricity.
Water levels in the country’s major hydro plants are reported by Bloomberg to be reaching a ‘critical’ state. The water level behind the Guri Dam, for instance, currently rests at 797 feet above sea level—but if it falls to 787, its turbines will have to be shut down until the levels rise, to avoid causing damage.
So the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, has instigated a 60-day plan that will run through April and May to help ease the situation. Every Friday will now be a public holiday, while factories are being asked to cut energy consumption by a fifth. Hotels and malls are even being asked to run generators instead of using mains electricity.
via Gizmodo
Image of Caracas by Daniel
