Electricity consumption in Brazil totaled 144.186 GWh between January and March 2025, an increase of 2,1% compared to the same period last year, according to EPE (Energy Research Company).
The residential sector drove growth in the quarter, with an increase of 3,4% (47.822 GWh), followed by the industrial sector, which consumed 48.575 GWh – an increase of 2,5%. The commercial sector showed a slight positive variation of 0,1%, totaling 27.073 GWh.
March has a historic record
In March, the country recorded the highest monthly energy consumption since 2004: 49.190 GWh, a growth of 2,6% compared to March 2024.
Residential consumption saw the biggest increase of the month, with 3,7%. Industry grew 2,7%, while the commercial sector remained practically stable (+0,1%). The “other” group, which includes rural areas, also saw an increase.
All regions showed growth in the month: South (+3,4%), North (+2,5%), Southeast (+2,1%), Northeast (+0,9%) and Central-West (+0,7%).
In the last 12 months, accumulated consumption reached 564.490 GWh, an increase of 4,2% compared to the previous period.
Free market advances, regulated market retreats
The free market accounted for 43,2% of national energy consumption in March, with 21.266 GWh – an increase of 9,9% in consumption and a significant 58,1% in the number of consumers in the annual comparison.
The South led the growth in consumption in the free market (+14,7%), while the Northeast had the largest increase in the number of consumers (+77,3%), driven by the opening of the market to all group A (high voltage) customers from January 2024, according to MME Ordinance No. 50/2022.
The regulated market, which still represents 56,8% of consumption, recorded a 2,4% drop in the volume consumed, even with a slight 1,3% increase in the number of consumers.
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