Venezuela, a country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world, finds itself in an ironic and perilous situation when it comes to energy production. Droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have increasingly threatened the stability of its already fragile energy infrastructure. Understanding the critical role that both hydropower and oil play in Venezuela’s energy landscape provides insight into how droughts are causing cascading issues for the nation’s power generation.

Hydroelectric Dependency and the Consequences of Drought

Over 60% of Venezuela’s electricity comes from hydropower, primarily from the Guri Dam, one of the largest in the world. However, as Venezuela faces more frequent and severe droughts due to climate change, the water levels in the dam’s reservoir drop to critical lows. When there isn’t enough water, the turbines can’t run at full capacity, leading to severe power shortages.

During droughts, this becomes a vicious cycle. The Guri Dam reservoir can drop so low that it doesn’t generate enough power to meet demand. This issue has been exacerbated by a combination of natural factors, such as fluctuating rainfall patterns, and human factors like a lack of maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Fossil Fuels: An Insufficient Backup

You’d think Venezuela’s vast oil reserves would provide a safety net during these times. After all, when hydroelectricity falls short, thermal power plants—often fueled by oil or gas—can step in to make up the difference. But Venezuela’s oil industry is riddled with its own problems. Years of mismanagement, failing infrastructure, and international sanctions have led to a sharp decline in oil production

What does this mean? When the dams dry up, Venezuela’s ability to switch to oil-based electricity generation is severely limited. Many of the country’s thermal plants are old and poorly maintained, making it impossible for them to pick up the slack during droughts. The result is a double hit: less power from hydropower and an inability to compensate with oil-fired electricity.

The Broader Economic and Social Consequences

Droughts don’t just affect electricity; they ripple across the entire economy. Power shortages disrupt industries, healthcare, communication, and daily life. Businesses and factories cannot operate without reliable electricity, leading to massive economic losses. For everyday citizens, this means frequent blackouts, loss of refrigeration, and disruptions to water supplies, as water pumps also depend on electricity​.

Moreover, the impact on the oil industry itself is severe. When blackouts occur, oil production facilities, which require significant energy, also come to a halt, further lowering the country’s ability to export oil and generate revenue. This adds even more pressure on an economy already suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods.

Drought, Climate Change, and the Future

Climate models predict that droughts will only worsen in the future, making Venezuela’s energy situation even more precarious. To adapt, the country would need significant investments in renewable energy like solar and wind, which aren’t dependent on water levels. Unfortunately, the country’s financial crisis, combined with political instability, makes such investments difficult​.

In conclusion, droughts in Venezuela have a devastating impact on energy production, particularly because of the country’s heavy reliance on hydropower. The inability to rely on oil-fired electricity as a backup compounds the problem, resulting in frequent blackouts, economic disruptions, and a strained population. Without immediate action and investment in alternative energy sources, these challenges will only worsen in the face of climate change.

Additional Resources

Want to learn more? Check out these helpful resources:

• Energy system of Venezuela
• Venezuela’s Health Emergency Appeal 2023
• Country Analysis Brief: Venezuela