Venezuela is facing a critical week, with dry conditions caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon hammering the country’s hydroelectric production and threatening rolling blackouts.

The gas-to-power sector is likely to provide only modest relief because of the poor availability of thermoelectric plants, experts have told Interfax Natural Gas Daily.

Water levels at Venezuela’s 8.8 GW Guri hydroelectric power plant, which generates 60-70% of the country’s electricity, are continuing to fall. The reservoir level had fallen to 244.55 metres above sea level on 4 April, according to statistics from Corpoelec, the state-owned company that oversees Venezuela’s power sector.

There are fears that the level will dip below 240 metres, which is the minimum required for power production. Read the full Interfax report.

For more information, please contact IPD Latin America.