CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ended six months of national electricity rationing yesterday in a move likely to boost his popularity ahead of legislative elections in September.
Electricity cuts of up to six hours a day were imposed on most parts of the Latin American OPEC nation in January, hindering efforts to climb out of a year-long recession and pushing the socialist leader’s support below 50 percent.
“From this moment, the rationing plan is suspended in all parts of the country,” Chavez said in a televised speech.
The news was a surprise because it came just two days after the government’s Official Gazette said the rationing program would be extended for a further two months.
Regulations to make businesses conserve electricity have hurt productivity in a country that relies on hydropower dams for about 70 percent of its power generation. Recent rains have raised levels at its main reservoirs after months of drought exacerbated high consumption and distribution problems.