Title: Liberalisation of the Venezuelan power sector: what is stalling it?

Authors: P. Ventura Nicolas

Addresses: Av. Sanz, calle Convento II, edif.E, apto. 8D. El Marques Caracas 1070, Venezuela

Abstract: For the past eight years, Venezuelan power sector has been attempting to be liberalised. The first step was made in 1996 through the ||Decree 1558||. The second step in 1999 was legally stronger and better received by players of the different sectors; however, it did not show any sign of progress after five years. At the same time, the need for investments is increasing and the expectation of demand|s growth is also rising. Hence, the intention of this research paper is to identify the factors that are constraining the liberalisation in the Venezuelan power sector. This paper concludes that the lack of consensus of the government about the nature of the reform, the popular fear of losses, the lack of regulation and the lack of autonomy in its formal structure, and the nonliberalisation of the gas market are just some of the most significant reasons that are constraining the liberalisation in the Venezuelan power sector.

Keywords: Venezuela; power sector reform; electricity reform; LOSE; liberalisation constraints; privatisation; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2005.006874

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2005 Vol.23 No.2/3, pp.119 - 132

Published online: 20 Apr 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article