Drought: Amid discussion of rationing, energy consumption grows in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Electricity consumption continues to grow strongly, despite the water crisis, the increase in price due to the operation of thermoelectric power plants, and discussions about energy rationing.

In the first 15 days of June, the Chamber for the Commercialization of Electric Energy (CCEE) registered a 6.8% increase in consumption compared to the same period last year.

The strong growth comes on a lower base, since consumption was affected last year by the paralysis of the economy due to the pandemic. But even so, the first half of June 2020 already had a consumption high of 1.3%.

The CCEE figures also show that industry, medium and large companies, and shopping centers attracted consumption. In these segments, which operate in the free market, growth exceeded 20%. In the regulated market, where residential consumers are located, demand grew by only 0.7%.

The government denies the need to ration energy but has said it wants to encourage more conscious consumption.

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