Brazil is experiencing the greatest water crisis in history. To give you an idea, the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants in the Southeast and Central-West ended the rainy season with the lowest level in the last six years. On May 10, for example, the reservoirs that supply the two regions reached the mark of 33,7% of energy storage capacity.
In the midst of this drought scenario, Idec (Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection) conducted a survey and identified a factor that further highlights the country's critical situation and is weighing on Brazilians' pockets. According to the survey, consumers are paying R$8,7 billion per year to fund thermal power plants.
The calculation identified 33 plants that were not meeting the performance conditions stipulated in the supply contracts signed with the distributors. “Our analysis identified plants with contracts totaling an average of 6,5 GW, whose unavailability rates are higher than the contractual limits,” said Clauber Leite, coordinator of the Energy and Sustainability Program at Idec.
Because of this, the Institute sent a letter to ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) warning about the problem and asking for action. The contracts between thermal power plants and distributors provide for the possibility of termination if there are three consecutive years of unavailability – which may occur due to operating failures or maintenance shutdowns – at a value higher than that used in calculating the physical guarantees of the plants.
The calculations considered the plants' fixed revenue, that is, how much they receive just for being available. “If activated by the ONS (National Electric System Operator), these thermal plants also receive the CVU (variable unit cost), mainly related to the cost of fuel”, explained Leite.
The set of plants includes thermal plants that run on coal, diesel oil, fuel and natural gas. The most serious cases highlighted by the company are those of Termorio, UTE Mauá 3 and Candiota 3, whose annual fixed revenues are, respectively, R$1,24 billion, R$1,06 billion and R$734,5 million. According to Idec, the amounts are being passed on to consumers via energy tariffs. “The impact could be even greater because, without the energy from these plants, the ONS is forced to seek other thermal plants – even more expensive – to meet the market demand”, concluded the specialist.
EPE publishes study on unavailability of thermal plants
This week, EPE (Energy Research Company) published a study on the unavailability of operating thermoelectric plants. The report indicated that, since the end of 2020, the SIN (National Interconnected System) has been going through a critical period of inflows. Between September of last year and April of 2021, the worst inflow in the SIN in 90 years of history was recorded.
Furthermore, the research indicated that the values range from 2.500 to 4.500 MW of unavailable power in the period from January to March. “The full use of the existing thermoelectric park has faced difficulties due to these high rates and other electrical restrictions (energy flow limits),” reported EPE.
The Energy Research Company also found that in 2020, diesel-fired thermal plants were unavailable, on average, 53% of the time. In the case of fuel oil-fired thermal plants, the unavailability rate was 26%, while for gas and coal-fired plants, the figure corresponded to 19%. In 2011, the rates were even lower: fuel oil (on average, 3%), diesel (4%), coal (12%) and gas (14%).
Solar energy proves to be a solution to the water crisis
For Rodrigo Sauaia, CEO of ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy), solar energy is seen as essential to help save water from reservoirs, easing the operation of the national energy matrix and consumers' pockets, as well as contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable and competitive Brazil.
“Our matrix currently has more than 60% of its installed power from water sources. We know that it depends on the 'good mood' of the rain, on having it in the right place and with the right frequency so that it can be stored and used. This is a challenge for us, considering the dry times we have been through for at least five years.”
Click here and read more about the importance of solar in the face of the water crisis.
An answer
Brazil has always gone against the grain of social issues, treating inequalities with coldness and hunger, in the same way it has never invested in renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, both situations controlled by economic power, which protects the liberal interests of capital.
The lack of social and ecological awareness of the political class and government officials does not have the courage to make a decision to define a plan to end the extraction of mineral coal and its consequent burning to generate electricity in thermal plants in the south of the country. Everyone is aware of the damage caused by coal mines, the impacts in their surroundings and along the water courses, as well as in the thermal plants where they burned, from where greenhouse gases come out through tall chimneys to unbalance the ozone layer, resulting in in climate change…!!!