National electricity consumption saw a slight decline in December 2024, after 22 months of expansion, according to data released by EPE (Energy research company).
In total, 47.138 GWh were consumed last month – a drop of 0,2% compared to the same period in 2023.
Among the regions, the North (+6,0%) had the biggest increase, while the Center-West (-4,5%) and Southeast (-1,8%) had the biggest declines.
The industrial class led the increase in the month (+3,8%), reaching 16.262 GWh, with all regions consuming more: North (+9,9%), Northeast (+6,6%), Central-West (+4,4%), Southeast (+2,9%) and South (+0,8%).
As for the hiring environment, the Mercado Livre, with 20.295 GWh, ed for 43,1% of national electricity consumption in December, with growth of 10,6% in consumption and 55,7% in the number of consumers, compared to December 2023.
The Northeast was the region that most expanded consumption (+15,1%) and the number of free consumers (+80,2%). The expansion is in line with what was predicted by ANEEL, after the publication of the ordinance that allowed all consumers in Group A to migrate to this modality.
The regulated market of distributors, with 26.843 GWh, ed for 56,9% of national consumption, but fell by 7,1% in December. The number of consumer units increased by 1,2% in the period, despite the migration to the Free Market.
The North region recorded the greatest expansion in consumption (+0,8%) in December, while the Central-West region had the greatest increase in the number of captive consumers (+2,2%).
Residential class
According to EPE, electricity consumption in Brazilian homes totaled 15.233 GWh in December 2024, ing a slight decline of 0,6% compared to the same month of the previous year.
This was the second lowest level of residential consumption since October 2022, behind only that recorded in November 2024, when there was the largest drop in the period.
The reduction in the month was attributed by EPE, mainly, to the lower use of refrigeration equipment, a result of milder temperatures and a greater volume of rainfall in a large part of the country, compared to December of the previous year.
The Central-West (-3,5%), Southeast (-3,2%) and South (-0,6%) regions were mainly responsible for the drop in residential consumption.
In contrast, the Northeast (+4,7%) and North (+4,3%) regions recorded increases in consumption, helping to mitigate the general reduction observed in the residential class.
At the state level, nine states showed a decrease in residential consumption in December, with the most significant drops occurring in Mato Grosso (-7,0%), the Federal District (-6,2%) and São Paulo (-6,1%).
On the other hand, only two states saw an expansion in consumption, with double-digit growth: Roraima (+21,7%) and Paraíba (+14,5%).
Commercial establishments
Electricity consumption in the commercial class also ed a drop in December: 2,9% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 8.757 GWh. This performance represents the lowest rate of variation since March 2021.
The decline was driven by milder weather conditions in the country compared to December 2023, a factor that reduced demand for electricity in the commercial sector.
Among the regions, the reductions in the Central-West (-6,3%), South (-4,1%) and Southeast (-3,8%) stood out. In the opposite direction, the North (+2,9%) and Northeast (+1,2%) showed growth in consumption in this class.
Among the states, Santa Catarina (-15,2%) and Mato Grosso (-7,3%) led the most significant drops in commercial consumption. On the other hand, Amazonas stood out with the greatest expansion, ing an increase of 10,7%.
Accumulated for the year
The EPE study also provided general data on electricity consumption in 2024, which totaled 560.219 GWh over the twelve months – an increase of 5,3% compared to the previous year, recording the highest annual consumption in history.
Even though there was a drop in December, the residential and commercial sectors were the ones that ed for the highest demand for electricity in the year, with consumption increasing by 7,1% and 5,2%, respectively, compared to 2023, as illustrated in the image below:
Check out the full EPE report by clicking here.
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