Brazil halts hydroelectric power exports to Argentina and Uruguay

Brazil has paused the export of surplus hydroelectric power to Argentina and Uruguay, with energy from thermoelectric plants still being dispatched to these countries, reports the Chamber of Commercialization of Electrical Energy (CCEE).

The CCEE noted that the latest dispatch occurred on June 11.

However, the operation has not been officially terminated, meaning energy exports may resume if there’s demand, surplus energy in Brazil, and accessible transmission lines.

This change aligns with the end of Brazil’s wet season, which had filled reservoirs and spurred energy exports, reducing tariffs.

Furthermore, the measure helped curb the waste of energy from hydroelectric plants.

Known as “turbineable spill”, this happened when plants, faced with low demand and abundant water, released water without generating energy.

The CCEE reported that a competitive procedure allowed Brazil to sell over 4,200 average megawatts in surplus electric energy to its neighbors from January to April, raising over R$466 million.

This revenue reduced the generation costs of hydroelectric plants, benefiting Brazilian consumers.

Hydroelectric generators, including Eletrobras, Engie, Itaipu, Cemig, Copel, and Aes Brasil, are pressing for year-round exports, regardless of whether plants are spilling.

This argument is based on the high level of the reservoirs, expected to be over 80% full by June end, indicating stability for Energy Storage (EAR).