Venezuela business groups demand electricity rationing schedule

Business organizations in Venezuela are demanding an official, sectorized schedule for electricity rationing to mitigate the impact of frequent power outages. The National Council of Commerce and Services (Consecomercio) has called for a clear and public calendar to help businesses plan operations, noting that current unpredictability disrupts logistics, billing systems, and the cold chain for food and medicine.

Industry and commerce leaders highlight that while large supermarkets and pharmacies can often rely on self-generation, approximately 70% of the population relies on small businesses like bakeries and pharmacies that lack such equipment. These smaller entities face significant risks to productivity and security due to voltage spikes and the deactivation of surveillance systems.

In the Zulia region, the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industrialists have also requested predictability to protect specialized machinery and worker efficiency. The energy crisis, attributed by the government to the ‘Super Niño’ climate phenomenon and recent seismic activity, has led to energy-saving measures that include scheduled restrictions in Caracas and other areas. Business groups have proposed measures such as tax exemptions for importing power plants and solar panels, as well as flexible working hours to adapt to the instability.