Venezuelan president calls for energy-saving campaign

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called for a national campaign to save energy on Friday after creating a new Electricity Ministry as the country was facing a serious shortage of electricity.

Angel Rodriguez has been appointed as its new minister.

The water level of the Guri Dam, one of the most important hydroelectric projects in the country, dropped sharply recently, seriously affecting the country's electricity supply. This forced the government to artificially generate rainfall, Chavez said.

The Venezuelan government aims to contribute 1,100 to 1,200 megawatts to the National Interconnected System by the end of 2009 with the operation of new thermoelectric plants.