Albuquerque highlights the importance of renewables and calls for conscious use of water and electricity

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, spoke on national radio and television on Monday night (28) and asked the population to make conscious use of water and electricity.

The minister stated that the Brazil is currently experiencing the biggest water crisis in the last 91 years, with critical levels of water reserves in its strategic reservoirs. 

The problem has been spreading since October last year, which raised discussions about the risk of energy rationing in the country, like the one carried out 20 years ago, in 2001. 

Currently, the reservoirs in the Southeast and Central-West regions, responsible for 70% of the country's energy generation, have only 30.2% of their capacity.  In some of them, the index is currently below 11%. This is the case of the São Simão, Itumbiara, Marimbondo and Água Vermelha reservoirs. 

In his speech, Albuquerque sought to reassure the population and, as he has done on other occasions, he once again said that there is no risk of rationing. However, he warned of the need to create a program that avoids the risk of blackouts at peak times and dependence on the next rainy season.

“In partnership with the industry, we are finalizing the design of a voluntary program that encourages companies to shift consumption from times of greatest energy demand to times of lowest demand, without affecting their production and the country’s economic growth”, commented. 

Renewables

According to the minister, the diversification of the Brazilian electrical matrix over recent years, especially with the exponential growth of renewable sources, is what today guarantees greater security that there will be no shortage of energy in Brazilian homes. 

“We reduced our dependence on hydroelectric plants from 85% to 61%, with the expansion of plants using clean and renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, in addition to natural gas and nuclear thermoelectric plants. Today we have a robust electrical sector, which guarantees us the supply of electrical energy to Brazilians”, he said. 

emergency MP 

Shortly before the Minister of Mines and Energy's statement, President Jair Bolsonaro (no party) signed an MP (Provisional Measure) to adopt “emergency measures” with the aim of avoiding a blackout in Brazil. 

The measure basically calls for the creation of an inter-ministerial group that will establish emergency measures to better optimize the use of water resources, in order to guarantee the country's energy security. 

Electricity bill 

Bento Albuquerque also highlighted in his speech that the conscious and responsible use of water and energy by the population will help to “considerably” reduce the pressure on the Brazilian electrical system and reduce the cost of the energy generated.

The minister guaranteed that if everyone By avoiding waste in electricity consumption, the Federal Government will be able to minimize impacts on the population's daily lives. 

“It is essential that, in addition to the commerce, services and industry sectors, Brazilian society, every citizen-consumer, participates in this effort, avoiding waste in electricity consumption,” he said. 

This Tuesday (29), the board of directors of ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) meets to define and disclose the value of the adjustment in extra energy charges in the country for the period 2021-2022. The institution has already announced that electricity bills in July will continue with the red flag, at level 2, because of the drought affecting the SIN (National Interconnected System) river basins.

Check out the minister's full speech below: 

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!

Brazil is facing one of the worst droughts in its history. The water shortage affecting our hydroelectric plants — especially in the Southeast and Midwest — is the greatest in the last 91 years.

This situation provoked the natural concern of many Brazilians about the possibility of energy rationing, as happened in 2001.

We need to make it clear that the Brazilian electrical system has evolved a lot in recent years. We achieved historic advances, interconnecting the system on a national scale and doubling transmission lines.

At the same time, we reduced our dependence on hydroelectric plants from 85% to 61%, with the expansion of plants using clean and renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, as well as natural gas and nuclear thermoelectric plants.

Today we have a robust electrical sector, which guarantees the supply of electrical energy to Brazilians. To address the situation, the government has been acting on several fronts since last year.

In addition to monitoring the electricity sector 24 hours a day, we set up a governance structure to coordinate, quickly and safely, the actions of the various bodies involved in tackling the current scenario of hydroenergy shortages.

We are also working in harmony and permanent dialogue with organized civil society entities, with the states and with institutions from the three powers, to identify the lines of action that best serve the country's interests.

It was for this reason, too, that we forwarded to the National Congress a provisional measure whose objective is to strengthen the governance of the decision-making process at this time of water crisis.

In partnership with the industry, we are finalizing the design of a voluntary program that encourages companies to shift consumption from times of highest energy demand to times of lowest demand, without affecting their production and the country's economic growth.

These measures are essential, but, to increase our energy security, it is essential that, in addition to the commerce, services and industry sectors, Brazilian society, every citizen-consumer, participate in this effort, avoiding waste in the consumption of electrical energy, With this, we will be able to minimize the impacts on the population's daily lives.

The conscious and responsible use of water and energy will considerably reduce the pressure on the electrical system, also reducing the cost of the energy generated.

I would like to invite you to follow us on the Ministry of Mines and Energy's social networks and share guidance on the best way to save water and electricity in our daily lives.

It is with serenity, therefore, that we reassure everyone. We are certain that, together, we will overcome this challenging and transitional period.

Thank you very much!".