Last week, EPE (Energy Research Company) released a bulletin on national electricity consumption in the second quarter of 2023. From April to June, the indicator registered a positive variation of 3,4% when compared to the same period in 2022 . The expansion is explained by the positive performance of the residential (6,6%) and commercial (4,2%) segments. The industry changed 1,8%.
The increase in family income, driven by the recovery in the occupancy rate, explains the growth in energy consumption in the residential sector. The hotter and drier climate during the period also contributed to the result. Other factors also benefit, such as an increase in the number of consumers, a reduction in energy losses and an improvement in the quality of operation of distributors.
The expansion of the commercial class is a reflection of the in-person resumption of cultural, leisure, work and tourism activities; and the increase in the number of commercial consumers.
In industry, the extraction of metallic minerals stood out, with an 8,9% increase in electricity consumption in the second quarter. The metallurgy segment recorded an expansion of 5,8%, while the food segment increased by 4%. However, 19 of the 37 industrial sectors monitored showed a decline in energy consumption.
In July, national energy consumption grew 1,7% compared to the same period in 2022, driven by the residential (4,7%) and commercial (1,9%) class. The industry shrank 0,7%. In the last 12 months, national consumption registered 516.796 GWh, an increase of 2%.
