Hilarity of the Day: Chile Delays End of Summer Time to Save Energy

Let there be summer for three more weeks...

From Reuters (3/2/2011):

* Chile grappling with energy squeeze amid drought

* Government has lowered voltages to save power

* New measure will save 22 gigawatt-hours per year

* Copper industry seen safe from any outages
(Updates with Energy minister comments, adds link)

SANTIAGO, March 2 (Reuters) - Chile will delay the end of its summer
time until for three weeks as the country faces an energy squeeze because
of drought and high demand, the government said on Wednesday.

The country will end its daylight savings time on April 2.

"This change in time looks to save a certain amount of energy with
better use of sunlight," Mining and Energy minister Laurence Golborne said.
"This will save around 22 gigawatt-hours per year."

Chile relies heavily on hydroelectric power to meet energy needs in the
world's top copper producer, and rain shortages force generators to rely on
costly fuel-driven plants, compounding inflation risks in the country's
fast-growing economy.

The energy squeeze is not, however, expected to affect the mining
industry, which is concentrated in the northern part of Chile.

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