Venezuela Reduces Public-Sector Working Hours to Conserve Electricity

Abu dhabi: Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodr­guez announced reduced working hours for public-sector employees as part of measures aimed at conserving electricity, with demand reaching its highest level in nearly a decade. Rodr­guez said the new measure would involve employees working every other day, alongside half-day shifts for all staff except those working in essential sectors such as healthcare.

According to Emirates News Agency, electricity demand reached 15,726 megawatts on Tuesday, while available capacity does not exceed 12,000 megawatts, noting that the national power grid is under significant pressure not only because of weather conditions but also due to economic growth. Rodr­guez announced the measures during the signing of an agreement with Argentine company IMPSA to complete a hydroelectric power plant project in Bol­var state in the south of the country.