Brazil’s Water Agency declares critical situation on water scarcity in Paraná river basin region

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s National Water Agency (ANA) has decided to declare a critical situation over the scarcity of water resources in the Paraná basin region, home to Brazil’s main hydroelectric reservoirs, until November 30, amid a rainfall crisis that is affecting the country and placing pressure on the energy sector.

Accordingly, the agency “may set transitional conditions for the operation of reservoirs or specific water systems,” aiming to ensure multiple water use,” according to an ordinance published in an extra edition of the Federal Gazette on Tuesday evening.

“If needed, specific decrees will be issued to establish other rules for water use in order to ensure multiple use,” points out the notice, signed by ANA’s director-president Christianne Dias Ferreira.

The agency pointed out that the Paraná hydrographic region serves several functions “of economic and social importance,” as well as concentrating the largest hydroelectric reservoirs, Brazil’s main energy source.

According to ANA, the water emergency declaration considers the need to implement specific measures amid a drought scenario, including intense coordination with state agencies.

The agency may also establish other rules for water use in order to ensure multiple uses during the critical period. ANA will also set up a technical group to monitor the situation, with the involvement of state water resources management agencies.

In parallel, the Electricity Sector Monitoring Committee (CMSE), led by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said after a meeting on Tuesday night that “the scenario of attention regarding the service conditions remains,” given the forecasts of a short-term lack of significant rainfall.

The committee stressed again that it will be important to relax restrictions on the operation of several hydroelectric plants to preserve the level of reservoirs and meet the demand for energy until November, midway through the dry season.

Representatives from ANA, IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Resources) and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office attended the CMSE meeting.

The entity “reiterated the guarantee of electric energy supply in 2021 to Brazilian consumers,” but stressed “the importance of the efficient use of water and electric energy, preventing waste.”

Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque stated again on Tuesday night that he sees no risk of energy rationing despite the water crisis. “I think we are conducting things adequately and with great transparency,” he said.

He also said that “the current situation is completely different from 2001,” when the country faced a historic electricity rationing, and from 2014 and 2015, when the system was also pressured by a shortage of rainfall.

According to him, the government launched “awareness campaigns” late last year on energy saving and intends to maintain these initiatives throughout 2021.

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