The high temperatures recorded in Brazil increased electricity consumption by 2,2% in January compared to the same period in 2024, according to data released by CCEE (Electric Energy Trading Chamber).
The basic sanitation sector recorded the greatest growth in consumption, with a significant increase of 56% compared to the same month last year. The increase was driven by the greater need for ventilation and cooling, in addition to the more intense use of water during the month.
According to CCEE, consumption recorded in January of this year began to grow more significantly from the second half of the month, when temperatures became even higher and reached records in some regions.
Record heat even with above-average rainfall
In early February, Inmet (National Institute of Meteorology) released a survey on the main meteorological phenomena that affected Brazil in January 2025.
The report highlights two main highlights: intense rainfall above the historical average in much of the country and record temperatures in several locations.
In January, it rained across almost the entire country, with the highest accumulations concentrated in the North, Central-West and Southeast regions.
The action of atmospheric instabilities favored the occurrence of significant rainfall, with accumulations above 250 mm in many states, the institute reported.
In contrast, the report highlights that heat waves during the month broke temperature records at many weather stations across the country.
One of the most emblematic cases occurred in Amambaí (MS), where the temperature reached 40,3°C on January 10, suring the previous record of 2,5°C, ed in 37,8, by 2019°C.
Despite the significant volume of rain, Bernardo Marangon, director of Prime Energy, a Shell Group company, explains that high temperatures tend to influence the population's energy consumption much more than excessive rainfall.
“The rise in temperature increases energy consumption, mainly due to the increased use of air conditioning. Furthermore, this time of year coincides with a significant increase in sales of these devices,” he said.
An interesting detail is that these devices tend to have their peak consumption precisely at times when solar energy generation is at its peak”, highlighted the professional.
New heat wave begins
According to Inmet, starting this Monday (16) Brazil will face another heat wave in several regions of the country, with emphasis on the Southeast, Central-West and South regions.
The institute warns that in these locations maximum temperatures may remain 5ºC above average for a period longer than five days.
“The hot and dry air mass, which has been acting for the last few days in areas of the Southeast, South and Northeast regions, gained strength as of this Sunday”, highlighted Inmet.
In São Paulo, there is already an alert issued by Civil Defense in effect until Wednesday (19) for high temperatures informing that maximums could reach 38°C in some regions.
In the city of Rio de Janeiro, the city government has warned of days of extreme heat with maximum temperatures of 42°C this week. The capital of Rio de Janeiro could break the record for the hottest day in February, which is 41,8°C, recorded in February 2023 at the Irajá station (RJ).
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