Solar energy generation increases 74,7% in February, points out CCEE

According to preliminary data from the Fortnightly InfoMercado Bulletin of CCEE (Electricity Trading Chamber), in February there was a 74,7% growth in solar generation and 45,4% in wind energy production.

Regarding hydroelectric plants, they continue to increase electricity production for the SIN System (National Interconnected), thanks to the very favorable rainy cycle. In the previous month, these plants delivered 57.474 MWmed to the grid, a volume 1,7% higher in the annual comparison. This scenario helped reduce dispatch from thermoelectric plants by 37,9%.

Energy consumption

The CCEE pointed out that, in February, Brazil consumed 69.522 MWmed of electricity, a volume 1,6% higher than that recorded in the same period last year. There was growth of 2,3% in the free market. In the regulated environment, the increase was 1,1%.

Specifically in the regulated sector, solar panels installed in homes and businesses were responsible for meeting part of the demand that would come from the electricity grid. The increase in the segment, if there were no distributed generation, would be 4,1% compared to the same month in 2022.

Consumption by region

In the regional assessment, the biggest increases, compared to the same period last year, were observed in Maranhão (42,2%), Rondônia (8,9%) and Pará (7,2%).

According to the Chamber, the advance is a combination of less rain and higher temperatures, a scenario that increases the need for the use of air conditioning devices. But there was also an important effect of greater demand from some sectors that purchase energy on the free market.

Export

Just last month, Brazil exported 1.086 MWmed of electricity to Argentina and 353 MWmed to Uruguay. According to the sector's accounting, the sale of surpluses to neighboring countries is recorded as “consumption” in the Services segment. Taking this effect into account, the total volume consumed would have grown by 3,7% compared to the same month last year.