Renewable Energy Infrastructure. Importance to Reach Sustainability goals. Venezuelan situation in 2016

Abstract

Abstract-Renewable energy is fundamental for economic growth and sustainable development. To be generated, distributed and used renewable energy requires proper infrastructure. Venezuela is a country with important energy resources, mainly in hydropower, but despite the huge resources invested in the improvement of its infrastructure, the delays with projects' completion as well as the frequent blackouts show that there is a structural problem that hinders the attainment of the Energy for All Global Goals. This article presents an overview of the Venezuelan renewable energy potential, its importance to meet sustainability goals, some construction problems affecting this sector and the situation of renewable infrastructure in construction in the country. The conclusions highlight a complex problem whose solution requires deep changes in the Venezuelan energy policies and strategies.Keywords Abstract-Renewable energy is fundamental for economic growth and sustainable development. To be generated, distributed and used renewable energy requires proper infrastructure. Venezuela is a country with important energy resources, mainly in hydropower, but despite the huge resources invested in the improvement of its infrastructure, the delays with projects' completion as well as the frequent blackouts show that there is a structural problem that hinders the attainment of the Energy for All Global Goals. This article presents an overview of the Venezuelan renewable energy potential, its importance to meet sustainability goals, some construction problems affecting this sector and the situation of renewable infrastructure in construction in the country. The conclusions highlight a complex problem whose solution requires deep changes in the Venezuelan energy policies and strategies.

The Venezuelan energy crisis: Renewable energies in the transition towards sustainability

“…Such changes caused mismanagement, more delays with investments in new plant construction and refurbishment, in en ergy distribution and in facilities' maintenance, with negative con sequences for the overall performance of the industry. In 2007 the State owned company Corpoelec took total control of the electric power sector [34], and the conditions of the Venezuelan electric system and services changed significantly once again [40].…”

“…Therefore, society suffers from pro gramed electricity rationing as well as frequent, unexpected and long blackouts. This energy unbalance, negatively conditions lifestyle and production capacity, with severe consequences in the country's competitiveness [40,60]. The Venezuelan energy imbalance keeps growing with increasingly frequent power failures and higher risks of a large national blackout that could occur at any moment [61].…”

“…Regrettably, there are no official records about them [70]. In general, experts warn that the existing Venezuelan reg ulatory framework makes wind and solar projects not competitive and this creates additional risks for the development of such energy po tential [40,47,62]. The severity of all such factors evidence the diffi culties to develop a sustainable energy sector in Venezuela [31,66].…”