Venezuela's National Assembly to Debate Electricity Law Allowing Private Investment

The Venezuelan National Assembly will begin discussion of an emergency and decentralisation electricity law aimed at modernising the power grid, adding renewable sources and permitting private investors to operate generation and commercialisation. Deputy Reinaldo Sifuentes of Avanzada Progresista said the bill will be presented to the Administration and Services Committee on Wednesday, with a first debate on the explanatory memorandum followed by a line‑by‑line vote in plenary.

Sifuentes cited the country's acute electricity shortage, noting that only about half of the roughly 30,000 MW installed capacity is functional and that most of the nation outside Caracas experiences rationing. He warned that the state lacks the funds to restore the system alone, estimating $30‑40 billion needed, and argued that opening the sector to national and international private capital is essential for recovery.