Are underground networks the solution to climate challenges in Brazil?

With more frequent weather events, expert points out the long-term solution for the Brazilian electrical system
Are underground networks the solution to climate challenges in Brazil?
Flooding in Rio Grande do Sul leaves thousands of families without electricity. Photo: Mateus Bruxel/Agência RBS

Report published in the 26th edition of the Magazine Canal Solar. click here and now for free!

Around 99,8% of the Brazilian population has access to electricity, according to data released by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), in 2022. Despite the evolution in energy supply, climate change has intensified and the occurrence of extreme weather events has been causing damage to the country's electrical systems.

In 2024 alone, the country faced the most intense period of drought in recent history, while at the same time facing extreme rainfall and storms that intensified, becoming stronger and more frequent in recent years. The data comes from a survey by Cemaden (National Center for Monitoring Natural Disasters).

With an electrical matrix that is 46,7% supplied by hydroelectric plants, the lack of rainfall directly affects the levels of reservoirs that have their generation capacity reduced.

Strong storms, with gusts of wind and falling trees, cause damage to the overhead power grid, affecting cables, wiring and electrical equipment that are prone to short circuits, explosions and fires. In addition to material damage, they pose risks to life and interruptions in the power supply.

During the year, climate events such as floods in Rio Grande do Sul affected more than 400 municipalities, leaving 147 dead and more than 400 thousand people without electricity.

In addition, the RMSP (São Paulo Metropolitan Region) faced two major blackouts: in March, with thousands of residents without power for more than seven days, and the blackouts in October that affected more than 3 million consumers.

A Fecomercio-SP (Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo) pointed out that gross losses in the retail and services sectors totaled more than R$ 1,65 billion. AGU (Attorney General's Office) filed a public civil action against the energy company, which will have to pay R$1 billion in compensation.

In a note, the ENEL stated that due to wind gusts of up to 107 km/h, which caused damage to the electrical grid, around 18% of its consumer base was impacted.

Want to read the full report? the 26th edition of the Magazine for free now Canal Solar clicking here.

all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please us by email: [email protected].

Photo by Emily Castro
Emily Castro
Graduating in Journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, she has experience in producing articles for news portals, radio and podcasts. She also works as a producer for the Papo Solar Podcast and the Solar em 60 and Estude com o projects. Canal.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Comments should be respectful and contribute to a healthy debate. Offensive comments may be removed. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author. Canal Solar.

News from Canal Solar in your Email

Posts

Receive the latest news

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

<
<
Canal Solar
Privacy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.