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Chavez extends Venezuelan holiday | Chavez extends Venezuelan holiday |
(about 11 hours later) | |
President Hugo Chavez has added three days to Venezuela's Easter holiday to deal with a growing energy crisis. | President Hugo Chavez has added three days to Venezuela's Easter holiday to deal with a growing energy crisis. |
The move - which will close government and public offices - means most Venezuelans will have a seven-day break starting on 1 April. | The move - which will close government and public offices - means most Venezuelans will have a seven-day break starting on 1 April. |
Mr Chavez said the aim of the measure was not to encourage "laziness, but to save energy". | |
Caracas says a drought has dropped water reserves at Venezuela's main hydroelectric dam to critical levels. | Caracas says a drought has dropped water reserves at Venezuela's main hydroelectric dam to critical levels. |
The opposition says lack of investment and inefficiency in the energy sector have contributed to the crisis. | The opposition says lack of investment and inefficiency in the energy sector have contributed to the crisis. |
President Chavez says his critics are exaggerating the crisis | President Chavez says his critics are exaggerating the crisis |
Many business leaders have warned that industrial production could be disrupted. | Many business leaders have warned that industrial production could be disrupted. |
Mr Chavez rejects these claims, accusing his critics of exaggerating the crisis - or even planning to sabotage the power grid ahead of parliamentary elections planned in September. | Mr Chavez rejects these claims, accusing his critics of exaggerating the crisis - or even planning to sabotage the power grid ahead of parliamentary elections planned in September. |
The president last month signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to tackle power shortages. | The president last month signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to tackle power shortages. |
Under the decree, energy users who consume more than 500 kilowatt-hours per month must reduce their consumption by at least 10% or face a 75% price rise. | Under the decree, energy users who consume more than 500 kilowatt-hours per month must reduce their consumption by at least 10% or face a 75% price rise. |
Industrial users were also ordered to cut their usage by 20% or face sanctions. | Industrial users were also ordered to cut their usage by 20% or face sanctions. |
Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power. | Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power. |
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