Fresh blackout sweeps Venezuela
Much of Venezuela was thrust into darkness again today after a transmission system failure in state-owned utility Corpoelec's national grid.
The La Arenosa-Yaracuy 765kV sub-station in central-west Venezuela broke down shortly before noon, causing a blackout affecting up to 17 states and much of Caracas.
About two-thirds of Caracas is currently without electricity more than four hours after the blackout was first confirmed by Corpoelec at about 11:30am ET.
The affected states include Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Carabobo, Cojedes, Falcon, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Sucre, Tachira, Vargas, Yaracuy and Zulia.
Today's blackout was the third multi-state blackout in the past 10 days, highlighting the fragile state of the grid. Previous blackouts on 21 September and 14 September that impacted Caracas and up to seven states were also traced to sub-station breakdowns on Corpoelec's main transmission line that connects the 10GW Simon Bolivar (Guri) hydroelectric complex in Bolivar state to the rest of Venezuela.
Venezuelan state-owned oil company PdV, which relies on the grid for almost all of its upstream and downstream operations, declined to comment on any impact.
Corpoelec has over 34GW of installed generation capacity but only generates about 10GW, mostly from Guri and smaller hydroelectric complexes on the lower Caroni River in Bolivar.
Venezuela could become more vulnerable to blackouts if the US tightens existing sanctions to cut off imports of low-sulfur diesel, which is mainly used for baseload and back-up generation. Natural gas, which is also used for some generation in western Venezuela, could also become more scarce if European offshore producers Repsol and Eni are blocked by the diesel measure from picking up Venezuelan crude cargoes as payment for their gas supply.
Related news posts
Brazil state faces power outages after record flood
Brazil state faces power outages after record flood
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state is facing power outages following record floods that killed more than 80 people and forced over 130,000 people out of their homes. The extreme weather took three substations, 25 transmission lines, five hydroelectric plants and 11 power transformers off line, according to grid operator ONS. In response, ONS started importing power from neighboring Uruguay and requested that the 250MW hybrid natural gas and diesel Canoas and 345MW coal-fired Pampa Sul power plants increase power generation. Earlier today, an estimated 435,000 consumers did not have electricity. The rains affected 341 of the 497 cities in the state, where the government declared a state of emergency in 336 municipalities. The government is working to re-establish power to the state as quickly as possible, the mines and energy ministry said in a social media post. The ministry also held an emergency meeting early yesterday and today to guarantee fuel supplies in the state . State capital Porto Alegre is expected to receive more rain later this week, according to Rio Grande do Sul-based weather forecaster MetSul. Metsul warned that parts of the Porto Alegre metropolitan area could remain uninhabitable for weeks or months. Brazil's airline association Abear said that the Salgado Filho international airport will remain closed indefinitely, after the airport's runway flooded. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil unlocks relief spending to flooded state
Brazil unlocks relief spending to flooded state
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree to ease relief spending to Rio Grande do Sul state, which has been hit with historically heavy rainfall and floods. "We are going to do everything in our power to contribute to Rio Grande do Sul's recovery," he said today after signing the decree, adding that was only the first of "a large number of acts" for the state. The decree recognizes the state of emergency in Rio Grande do Sul and allows the federal government to grant funding and tax waivers to the state without having to comply with spending limits. In addition, it makes rules for public authorities to contract services and purchase products more flexible. The decree still needs both senate and congressional approval — which should be hasty, as both the senate and house leaders were present at the decree's signing. It is still not clear how much money it will take to rebuild the state, chief of staff Rui Costa and planning minister Simone Tebet said. But the minister of regional integration Waldez Goez estimated that it will take around R1bn ($200mn) to rebuild the state's highways. Rio Grande do Sul has been hit with heavy rainfall since 29 April. The highest volumes reached the central areas of Rio Grande do Sul, with cities receiving rainfall of 150-500mm (6-20 inches), regional rural agency Emater-RS data show. The monitoring station of Restinga Seca city, in the center of the state, recorded rainfall of about 540mm. Rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul overall surpassed 135mm in most of the state, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). State capital Porto Alegre is expected to receive more rain later this week, according to Rio Grande do Sul-based weather forecaster MetSul. MetSul warned that parts of the Porto Alegre metropolitan area could remain uninhabitable for weeks or months. The floods have left at least 83 dead and 111 missing, according to the state government. An additional 130,000 people have been displaced from their homes. By Lucas Parolin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
ANP reduz mescla de etanol e biodiesel no RS
ANP reduz mescla de etanol e biodiesel no RS
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — A Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP) diminuiu, temporariamente, a mistura obrigatória de etanol e biodiesel no Rio Grande do Sul por 30 dias, a partir de 3 de maio, em meio a enchentes catastróficas no estado. O mix de etanol anidro na gasolina caiu dos atuais 27pc para 21pc, enquanto o do biodiesel no diesel S10 está agora em 2pc, queda em relação à porcentagem vigente de 14pc. Também de forma temporária, a agência suspendeu a necessidade de mistura para o diesel S500. A ANP informou que pode revisar os prazos da medida dependendo das condições de abastecimento no estado. As chuvas no Rio Grande do Sul bloquearam rodovias e ferrovias que transportam os biocombustíveis para centros de distribuição, como Esteio e Canoas. O fornecimento de combustíveis fósseis pela ligação dutoviária da refinaria Alberto Pasqualini (Refap) às outras bases de distribuição do entorno não foi comprometido, afirmou a ANP. As enchentes no estado já deixaram pelo menos 83 mortos e 111 desaparecidos, de acordo com o governo local. Mais de 23.000 pessoas tiveram que deixar suas casas e cerca de 330 cidades estão em situação de calamidade pública. Por Laura Guedes Envie comentários e solicite mais informações em feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . Todos os direitos reservados.
Brazil lowers biofuel mix in flooded state
Brazil lowers biofuel mix in flooded state
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — Brazil's oil regulator ANP temporarily decreased the mandatory mix of ethanol and biodiesel in fuels in Rio Grande do Sul state for 30 days, starting on 3 May, amid floods in the region. The anhydrous ethanol blend on gasoline was lowered to 21pc from the current 27pc, while the mandatory biodiesel mix for 10ppm (S10) diesel is now at 2pc, down from the usual 14pc. The agency also temporarily suspended the blending mandate for diesel with 500ppm of sulfur (S500). ANP said it can revise deadlines depending on supply conditions in the state. Rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul blocked railways and highways where biofuels are transported to retail hubs, such as Esteio and Canoas. Supply of fossil fuels via pipeline from the 201,000 b/d Alberto Pasqualini refinery (Refap), in Canoas, and other retail bases has not been compromised, ANP said. Floods in Rio Grande do Sul have left at least 83 dead and 111 missing, according to the state government. More than 23,000 people have been forced from of their homes amid widespread damage. Over 330 cities are in a situation of public calamity. By Laura Guedes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more