Risk of a Power Shortage in Brazil by 2015 Increases to 5%

11/06/2014 - 08h58

This Wednesday (5), the Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that according to its predictions, the risk of a power shortage in Brazil by 2015 has increased.

The index that measures the prospect of a power scarcity in the country is now at the maximum tolerated: 5%.

After an Electric Sector Monitoring Committee (CMSE) meeting that brings together the leading authorities of the government, the Ministry issued a press release admitting it may be necessary "to adopt additional measures to those typically practiced, as the strategy that has been adopted in 2014".

The Committee, however, did not exemplify the measures mentioned.

The thermal power plant production has increased this year and the stations have been working monthly at its full capacity. This could be one of the solutions.

Last month, the CMSE had also highlighted the possibility of adopting additional measures. On the occasion, however, the predictions for risk of energy shortages in 2015 had been reduced to a minimum.

Right now, it is 5% for the Southeast/Midwest and 0.7% for the Northeast.

In October, the risk was 4.7% for the Southeast/Midwest and 0.8% for the Northeast region. In September, the figures were 4.8% and 0.5%, respectively.

The Southeast/Midwest region, considered as one for the electricity sector, has the country's main basins. Therefore, it is priority to preserve its supply level.

SILENCE

The Ministry of Mines and Energy adopted as a standard procedure to issue a statement after every CMSE meeting.

None of its representatives is allowed to provide further explanations about the present situation in the sector.

According to the information displayed on the National Electric System Operator (ONS) website, the reservoirs in the Southeast/Midwest region currently store only 18% of its capacity.

In the Northeast, this volume fell to only 15% of its total water supply.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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