Drought: Brazil’s government not planning energy rationing but urges saving

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian government is not considering resorting to energy rationing amid the water crisis, but given a greater output of thermoelectric energy, consumers will pay more, Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque said on Thursday, June 17.

“We are not working with the rationing option,” he declared.

“At the moment, given the water shortage, energy generations such as thermal and others will raise costs for consumers…,” he added, citing that the government was forced to deploy more expensive electricity to offset the low level of hydroelectric plants.

He further said that the privatization of Eletrobras, whose bill is scheduled to be voted this Thursday in the Senate, is critical to secure lower costs for consumers.

Despite rejecting an energy rationing, the Minister drew attention to the need to save electricity. “If you leave the house, turn off the light. If you can afford not to turn on the air conditioner, don’t turn on the air conditioner, try to use energy only in extremely necessary cases,” he stressed.

“We must all have such awareness, not only to save with respect energy use, but also in the bill that we’re going to pay at the end of the month.”

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