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Power Cut Hits Brazil Four Months Before World Cup

02/05/2014 - 08h39

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FROM BRASILIA
FROM RIO
FROM SÃO PAULO

A failure in the electric grid interrupted part of the energy transmission between the North and South East of Brazil yesterday afternoon (February 4), causing supply shortages in several cities across four of the country´s regions. The power cut affected over 2 million consumer units.

The regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro (South East), Parana (North East) as well as Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul (South), Mato Grosso (Centre West) and Tocantins (North) were all affected.

There were also unconfirmed reports in Goias and Espirito Santo.

According to the country´s electric operator (ONS), the problem has been dealt with.

The ONS did not reveal whether the problem was caused by an incident in the network or due to record levels in demand coinciding with dry reservoirs.

Yesterday (February 4) the government called on the electrical sector´s leadership to guarantee that the country will not face an energy shortage.

In an interview with the press, Brazil´s deputy energy Minister Marcio Zimmermann said that the delay in the rainy season has led to increased reliance on thermal energy.

The situation is however not thought to jeopardize the energy supply. "We can say, that the system is planned to be able work under extreme conditions such as these", said Zimmermann.

The incident has come almost 24 hours after the ONS registered record demands in instantaneous energy on the National Integrated System of 84.331 MW at 3.32pm on Monday and on the South East and Center West system of 50.854 MW a minute later.

According to the operator, peaks in consumption are a result of the high temperatures registered throughout the country.

Zimmermann says that the causes of the blackout are to be investigated by the ONS. "It is important to wait for the ONS evaluation," said the Secretary.

SHORTAGE

Estimations by the Institute for Energy Research (EPE) suggest the reservoirs in the South East of the country are at their lowest since 1953.

The use of coal or oil generated power plants to meet demand has led the government to consider increasing the Treasury ´s expenditure, which could affect consumer prices next year.

This was also done last year to cover expenses by thermal generated power plants.

Translated by MILLI LEGRAIN

Read the article in the original language

Eduardo Anizelli/Folhapress
Regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Tocantins were all affected
Regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Tocantins were all affected

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