Brazil vs. Haiti resulted in a 6,7 GW reduction in the load on the electrical system.

The Brazilian team's 3-0 victory over Haiti last Friday (19), in the 2026 World Cup, once again demonstrated how major sporting events directly influence the behavior of electricity consumption in the country. Data from ONS (National Electric System Operator) shows that the match caused a significant reduction in load, followed by strong ramps of recovery after the final whistle.

The game started at 21:30 PM, but the effects on the SIN (National Interconnected System) began to be felt even before the ball started rolling. About an hour before the match, the ONS (National System Operator) recorded a reduction of 6.700 MW in the system load, a volume equivalent to the average consumption of the entire state of Rio de Janeiro.

During the first half, demand continued its downward trajectory and remained approximately 7,500 MW below what would be expected for a typical day. The reference load for the time slot was an average of 87.039 MW, while the load actually observed during the match was 79.617 MW.

After the game ended at 22:34 PM, the operator identified a rapid recovery in consumption. In just nine minutes, the load increased by 2.279 MW, an amount comparable to the average load of the state of Ceará.

The lowest demand level was recorded at 23:30 PM, when the load reached an average of 73.616 MW. Following this, the system again showed a strong upward trend. Between 23:33 PM and 23:50 PM, the load increased by 2.420 MW in just 17 minutes, an amount equivalent to the average consumption of the state of Maranhão.

ONS will have a special operation and will release bulletins on energy consumption during the World Cup.

The first game also altered demand behavior.

The impact of the World Cup on the operation of the electrical system had already been observed in the opening match of the Brazilian national team, a 1-1 draw with Morocco, played on June 13th.

At the time, the reference load was 83.429 MW, but during the match consumption dropped to 78.681 MW. After the match ended, the system recorded a maximum ramp-up of 4.307 MW in 31 minutes, at 21 PM, representing a 5,7% increase in demand. The lowest load observed that day was 75.766 MW.

Brazil vs. Morocco causes a drop in energy consumption and generates fluctuations equivalent to the demand of Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul states.

Challenge for the system's operation.

The fluctuations caused by matches of the Brazilian national team are closely monitored by the ONS (National System Operator), since they require quick operational responses to ensure a balance between energy generation and consumption.

These shifts occur because millions of Brazilians simultaneously alter their consumption habits during the games. The reduction in commercial, industrial, and residential activity during the match decreases demand, while the end of the event usually generates a sharp increase in consumption, driven by the simultaneous use of appliances, lighting, and other equipment.

With Brazil's continued participation in the World Cup, the operator will continue to monitor these effects, which have become one of the most emblematic examples of how major sporting events can impact the operation of the national electricity system.

Brazil in the field, electricity sector watching closely: "If there is excess generation, the system will collapse."

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