Brazil takes steps to avoid energy shortage

07 January 2008 23:19  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--Brazil has fired up every available thermal power plant in the country to prevent an electricity shortage, government sources said on Monday.

The National System Operator (ONS), which keeps an eye on the electricity grid to prevent operational failure, ordered the plants to start generating electricity on 12 December due to low hydroelectric reservoirs.

Officials at the ONS carefully avoided terming the situation an emergency, stating that the situation was “foreseen and planned”, according to state media reports on Monday.

Brazil’s electricity supply - which depends overwhelmingly on hydroelectric generation - has been tight in recent days according to media reports. When the water levels run low in the reservoirs, Brazil counts on natural gas and other fuels to compensate.

In October, natural gas deliveries to industrial consumers including chemical producers were reduced to ensure the gas supply to power plants.

By: John Waggoner
+1 713 525 2653

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