BRAZIL · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —What is happening Brazil’s grid operator ONS said on Wednesday, 21 October, that 191 transmission towers on 230 kV to 500 kV lines have fallen since 26 July.
- —Why it matters More than 100 further towers on 138 kV lines also fell, yet the national grid stayed in operation, which matters for US investors in Brazilian power and infrastructure.
- —The numbers 191 towers on 230 kV to 500 kV lines and more than 100 on 138 kV lines fell between 26 July and 21 October, a period of about three months.
- —Who is who ONS, the Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico, runs Brazil’s national grid; operations director Valter Cardeal spoke at an ONS awards event in Rio de Janeiro.
- —What to watch Whether more towers fall as storms continue, and NOAA’s next El Niño update, scheduled for Thursday, 12 November.
- —Power Index Brazil ranks 1st of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 75.0 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you For US investors in Brazilian power companies and firms in southern Brazil, ONS says the grid stayed operational, though repair work and local outages remain a risk.
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Brazil’s grid operator says 191 high-voltage transmission towers have fallen since 26 July. It says the national grid kept operating through the storms.
Brazil’s national grid operator says 191 high-voltage transmission towers have fallen since 26 July. The operator, ONS, says the grid stayed in operation.
More than 100 further towers on smaller 138 kV lines also fell, ONS said. NOAA, the US weather agency, expects a strong to very strong El Niño into early 2027.
What the Grid Operator Said
Valter Cardeal, ONS operations director, said 191 towers on 230 kV to 500 kV lines fell between 26 July and 21 October. He said more than 100 towers on 138 kV lines also came down, Agência iNFRA reported.
He spoke on Wednesday, 21 October, at the second ONS operations quality awards in Rio de Janeiro. He blamed weather events for the falls.
Cardeal said the events show the resilience of the national grid, known as the SIN. It kept operating thanks to the work of ONS and the transmission companies, he said.
What NOAA Expects From El Niño
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said on Thursday, 8 October, that El Niño continues to strengthen. It sees a strong to very strong event likely through January to March 2027, with chances above 83%.
The center put the chance of a historic event, stronger than any since 1950, at 83% for October to December. Its next update is scheduled for Thursday, 12 November.
What It Means for US Readers
US investors in Brazilian power companies should expect repair work and local outages after storms. ONS says the grid stayed operational, and NOAA’s outlook points to more weather risk into early 2027.
Background is in earlier reports on El Niño, soybeans and the grid, the second emergency grid cut and the yellow tariff flag. Travellers to southern Brazil should expect storm disruption.
What Is Not Known
ONS’s own statement could not be opened, so the tower counts rest on Agência iNFRA’s report of Cardeal’s remarks. The report does not say where the towers fell, how many customers lost power or what the repairs cost.
Agência iNFRA cites weather events, and the sources opened do not tie the falls to El Niño. Whether more towers will fall is not known.
What Comes Next
NOAA’s next El Niño update on Thursday, 12 November will show whether the outlook holds. ONS has not announced any tower redesign in the report reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many towers have fallen in Brazil since July?
ONS says 191 towers on 230 kV to 500 kV lines fell between 26 July and 21 October. More than 100 towers on 138 kV lines also came down.
Did Brazil suffer blackouts from the fallen towers?
ONS says the national grid kept operating thanks to its work and that of its agents. The report does not give a count of affected customers.
Were the falls caused by El Niño?
Agência iNFRA cites weather events and does not name El Niño. NOAA separately expects a strong to very strong El Niño into early 2027.
What does NOAA expect from El Niño?
NOAA says a strong to very strong El Niño is likely through January to March 2027, with chances above 83%. Its next update is due on 12 November.
What is ONS?
ONS, the Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico, is the operator that runs Brazil’s national interconnected power grid. Its operations director is Valter Cardeal.
Sources: Agência iNFRA, 21 October; NOAA Climate Prediction Center, ENSO Diagnostic Discussion, 8 October; ONS (all accessed 22 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief