Why are Venezuelans buying backup generators?

Millions of poor live at the mercy of Venezuela's unstable power grid, but middle- and upper-class residents able to scrape together enough dollars are buying backup generators in an attempt to regain a normal life. Even this solution isn't foolproof.

Does Venezuela have a power grid?

Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves as well as vast water resources to fill hydroelectric dams. It long had a state-of-the-art power grid that sold excess electricity to neighboring countries.

Are battery-powered generators better than gas-fed generators?

Gone are the days where getting power where there is none means firing up a gas-powered generator. Sure, that is still an option— and for bigger needs, like whole home power, that may be the better option— but modern, battery-powered stations offer a lot of versatility that gas-fed models lack. For instance, they are quieter.

How much does a generator cost?

A household living with all the amenities requires a large generator that can cost upward of $1,000 — a small fortune in a country where the typical worker earns $6.50 a month.