Venezuela National Assembly postpones electric system law reform

The Venezuelan National Assembly has postponed the second discussion of a partial reform to the Electric Service Law. During an ordinary session, Deputy Pedro Carreño requested the deferral to allow for further work on the legislative instrument.

The proposed reform aims to regulate electricity services nationwide, including international energy exchanges involving generation, transmission, distribution, and commercialization. The project seeks to guarantee universal access to electricity with equality, continuity, and security to support socioeconomic development.

Venezuela has faced a persistent electricity crisis for over a decade, with blackouts increasing in frequency over the last year. While the government attributes the instability to international sanctions, the El Niño climate phenomenon, and alleged sabotage, opposition members and experts point to corruption and a lack of infrastructure maintenance as primary causes. The Venezuelan Association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering has estimated that restoring the national power system could require up to $40 billion and a master plan spanning ten years.