This Monday began the public consultation process for the Draft Organic Law for the Partial Reform of the Organic Law of the Electric System and Service, an initiative aimed at guaranteeing the sustainability of the system and promoting the modernization of the service in the country.
This proposal, approved in its first reading last June 2 by the National Assembly (AN), includes 42 articles (31 articles to be reformed and 11 new ones proposed), which seek to strengthen the electrical infrastructure throughout the country, as well as improve the protection of the electrical system, with the participation of joint ventures that will contribute to modernizing the facilities and equipment that make up the National Electric System (SEN).
The debate, developed in the auditorium of the Ministerial Tower, located in San Bernardino (Caracas), included the participation of the First Vice President of the National Assembly (AN), Pedro Infante; the President of the AN’s Permanent Commission on Administration and Services, Pedro Carreño; The Vice President for Public Works and Services (VSOPS), Juan José Ramírez; the Minister of People’s Power for Electrical Energy, Rolando Alcalá; the President of the National Electric Corporation (CORPOELEC), José Luis Betancourt; workers from the electrical sector; representatives of the Energy Technical Committees (MTE); and representatives from the business sector, among other guests.
During his remarks, the Minister for Electrical Energy acknowledged that the sanctions have had a negative impact on the country’s electrical system. However, he emphasized the strong commitment of the working class to overcome the current situation in the sector.
Likewise, he explained that the reform aims to establish a mixed and responsible system that fosters the development of the country’s various economic sectors, where operational and technical protocols respond to the needs of Venezuelans.
For his part, sectoral vice president Juan José Ramírez emphasized that this debate “is the first step toward the modernization that the country’s electricity sector needs (…) driven by the President in Charge of the Republic, Delcy Rodríguez.”
He also highlighted “the great battle” given by the Venezuelan people against the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, and that this proposed partial reform is part of “that set of actions to strengthen the electricity system,” with the participation of the working class, through a strategic plan designed to bolster the electrical infrastructure.
Recognition of the SEN working class:
The first vice president of the National Assembly, Pedro Infante, recognized the effort and commitment of the SEN working class: “Because you have strived during these very difficult years to maintain our National Electric System, so that energy reaches our people amidst circumstances that are extremely complex, blockades, sanctions, and unilateral coercive measures.”
Likewise he pointed out the importance of this law for the economic and industrial sectors, stating, “For the country to continue its recovery, it needs electricity (…). The difficulties we face in the electricity sector are a reality, a reality we acknowledge.”
He also explained that the current law governing the sector comprises 115 articles, 31 of which are slated for amendment to strengthen and modernize the electrical system. The proposed amendments also include 11 new articles to guarantee the participation of various economic sectors, with the State acting as the guarantor of compliance with the law.
The proposals discussed by the various sectors that make up the National Electric System (SEN) will be presented to the National Assembly in the coming days for analysis and review.