Argentina guarantees energy supply amid increased consumption due to cold weather

BUENOS AIRES.- The Argentine government guaranteed the supply of energy today amid a sharp increase in consumption rates due to a cold-weather front that is currently affecting the country.

“The level of reserves is very important.  The system is solid”, stated the minister of Planning, Julio De Vido, after the Argentine press announced gas supply cuts for industries and service stations that offer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles.

The minister said that on Thursday of this week, when Argentina reported some of its lowest temperatures in 15 years, there were “record amounts of consumption” registered in electric energy, natural gas and gasoline.

Argentina has also decided to cut off gas shipments to Chile, which receives practically all of its gas from its Andean neighbor, since Wednesday of this week.

The National Meteorological Department said today that the intense cold weather affecting the country will cause widespread freezes throughout Argentina this weekend.