Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has extended electricity rationing for another 60 days in hopes that seasonal rains will help refill the low water levels at the country's hydroelectric dams.
President Chavez declared an electricity emergency in February in the oil-rich nation, saying the country was facing the worst drought in a century.
The hydroelectric sector provides more than 60 percent of Venezuela's electricity.
Last month, Venezuelan officials announced a 24-hour electrical power cutoff for 80 firms because they failed to reduce their power usage as directed in the emergency decree.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.