tech
April 24, 2026
Private Investment and Generation Diversification Would Drive Rescue of the Electrical System
The energy expert, Nelson Hernández, researcher and member of the Venezuelan Academy of Engineering, pointed out that the National Electrical System (SEN) infrastructure is aged and that investments have been insufficient for its rehabilitation and modernization. Likewise, he warned that the current economic framework conditions the reliability of the service. The specialist documented a [...]
TL;DR
- The SEN infrastructure is aged, with insufficient investment for rehabilitation and modernization.
- The current economic framework negatively impacts service reliability.
- Distributed generation and renewable energy, particularly solar, are key for system resilience and decarbonization.
- The 'Solar Prevín' photovoltaic plant in Mérida serves as a successful example of solar generation.
- The generator fleet is heavily reliant on thermal plants and natural gas, necessitating a shift towards solar and wind.
- Renewable energy sources (solar and wind) have a lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) than gas-fired combined cycle plants.
- Domestic hydroelectric tariffs are excessively low, hindering investment attraction.
- A gradual tariff adjustment and a smart prepayment model with targeted subsidies are proposed.
- Improving natural gas management and utilizing it for generation and industrial processes is important.
- A mixed financing scheme combining private investment, clear regulation, and targeted subsidies is recommended for modernization.