Brazil’s government considers different measures to avoid power shortage

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The federal government is relying on measures such as the use of thermoelectric plants, reducing consumption at peak hours, changing the use of waterways and sustaining the level of hydroelectric plants.

President Jair Bolsonaro said this week that Brazil is experiencing one of the worst water crises in its history. The rainfall index in the country is the lowest in 91 years, according to the National Interconnected System (SIN), responsible for power production and transmission in Brazil.

Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque denied that energy rationing is planned in the country, but he is considering a number of measures to prevent blackouts, including the use of thermoelectric plants to increase energy capacity and stagger the use of energy by companies.

The reason is that some of the country’s main reservoirs are at reduced capacity, which is causing concern due to the upcoming dry season and the reduction of rainfall, points out Fernando Nakagawa, director of CNN Business.

Reservoirs in the Center-South of the country are currently at 31.9% of their water capacity. The Furnas reservoir, in Minas Gerais, is at 36.8% capacity, according to system data.

Reservoirs in the Rio Grande region between the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais are at an even lower level.

The Água Vermelha power plant reservoir, located between Ouroeste (SP) and Iturama (MG), is at 8% capacity and the Marimbondo power plant, between the cities of Icém (SP) and Fronteira (MG), is at only 7%, according to SIN data.

“These are considered low levels, since the dry season will soon begin in the country and rainfall should only return in September and October. Therefore, these figures will gradually begin to drop over the next few months,” Nakagawa analyzes.

To prevent worse consequences, the government “has a few cards on the table,” explains the CNN Business director.

Preserving the capacity of hydroelectric plants

Among the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s measures to curb potential blackouts or power rationing, one is to try to preserve reservoir water capacity at levels capable of continuing to generate power when needed.

Changing the use of some waterways

The use of the Tietê Paraná waterway is to be restricted in the coming weeks in order to save energy.

The Tietê and Paraná rivers are part of a waterway transportation system connected to the road and rail networks between the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, and Minas Gerais.

Using thermoelectric power plants

The federal government may activate thermoelectric plants that run on gas or diesel in case the hydroelectric reservoirs are too low, although these plants are far more expensive operationally.

Reducing peak-time consumption

The federal government is considering inviting companies to rotate employee schedules, particularly in the late afternoon, when there is a higher demand for energy as most people go home, resulting in an increase in the use of air conditioning, electric showers, electrical appliances and electronics.

Source: CNN Brasil