✓ verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage
Venezuela recorded on May 7, 2026 a record electricity demand of 15,579 megawatts — the highest level in nine years — but 90% of households in the country continue to suffer daily power outages, according to the 2025 Living Conditions Survey (Encovi). ✓
Press quotes (4)
"This Thursday, May 7, Venezuela's electricity demand reached a milestone of a record 15,579 megawatts (MW), the highest in the last nine years. This was announced by the government in a statement, which specified that 'this record surpasses levels from nearly a decade ago, a result of continued high temperatures and sustained economic growth."
"A edição mais recente da Pesquisa de Condições de Vida (Encovi, na sigla em inglês), publicada em 2025 pela Universidade Católica Andrés Bello, da capital venezuelana, Caracas, indica que nove em cada 10 residências do país relataram interrupções do fornecimento de energia elétrica."
"2026 Projected Real GDP (% Change): 4.0; 2026 Projected Consumer Prices (% Change): 387.4"
"Since 2012, Venezuela's GDP has shrunk around 80% in dollar terms, to an estimated $83 billion in 2025. Its economy is roughly the size of Uruguay's, and less than a quarter the size of Chile's."
Engineer Miguel Lara, who worked for three decades in Venezuelan electricity system planning until 2004, calculated that the 15,579 MW represents only a 5% increase compared to approximately 14,724 MW in 2025. For Lara, the system "has reached its limit" and "can no longer support any new supply needs." ?
Press quotes (1)
"In the context of the Venezuelan government's recent statement on the electricity issue, which revealed that current consumption has been the highest in the last nine years, Alcalá said that the average demand in recent months was 13,500 megawatts and that this increase is mainly due to two factors. First, he asserted that the international opening and economic development have led to increased consumption. He also explained that this increase is further fueled by commercial activity and the purchase of household appliances, driven by Venezuelans' increasing purchasing power."
Venezuela theoretically has 36,000 MW of installed capacity, but only 13,000 to 13,500 MW are actually available. The country has 17,000 MW in hydroelectric plants, but the transmission system can handle a maximum of 10,000 MW, while thermal plants operate at only 13% capacity, according to Reuters data cited in the press. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"He destaca que uma demanda de 15.579 MW representa apenas um aumento de pouco mais de 5% em relação à demanda de 2025, que era de cerca de 14.724 MW."
"O engenheiro Miguel Lara trabalhou por três décadas (até 2004) no escritório responsável por coordenar a operação e o planejamento do sistema elétrico venezuelano."
90% of Venezuelan households report power supply interruptions, with 40% suffering daily cuts lasting several hours
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Venezuela has projected economic growth of 4% by IMF in 2026, but its economy has contracted 80% since 2012
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What is the official source for the 14,724 MW baseline for 2025 used in the 5% growth calculation?
Why it's still unknown: The 14,724 MW figure cited by engineer Miguel Lara to calculate 5% growth was not found in any official Venezuelan government statement or public electricity sector report
Did not cover: Orinocotribune -
How does the energy crisis specifically affect Venezuelan migration to neighboring countries?
Why it's still unknown: No source covers the impact of blackouts on regional migration flows or pressure on Brazil, Colombia and Guyana
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What is the detailed timeline of Venezuelan electricity system deterioration since 2009?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention rationing began in 2009 and electrical emergency in 2010, but don't detail specific milestones of lost capacity or intermediate critical events
Did not cover: Orinocotribune