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Experts highlight the burying of electrical wires as a solution to improve urban security and avoid blackouts, but high costs and political complexities hinder progress in Brazil.
The recent blackout that left São Paulo in the dark reignited an old debate: Would burying electrical wires be the definitive solution to avoid interruptions in the supply of electricity caused by weather events? Although this alternative promises to improve urban safety and reduce problems related to overhead networks, implementing this change faces economic, political and logistical challenges that, to date, have prevented its widespread adoption.
O burying electrical wires is a practice already adopted in several parts of the world to protect electrical infrastructure from storms, falling trees and even cable thefts. The technique involves replacing traditional posts of light through underground ducts, ensuring an electrical power grid that is more resistant to external factors. This also results in a visually cleaner city, without the tangle of wires in the sky.
The process of burying wires is complex and expensive
The project involves opening streets, building tunnels and ensuring that traffic and daily life in the city are impacted as little as possible. For example, the work to bury just 2,2 km of cables on Avenida Nove de Julho in São Paulo took almost a year to complete. Furthermore, the cost of burying cables is considerably higher than maintaining the overhead network: it is estimated that burying cables can cost 8 to 10 times more.
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The burden of costs and the impact on electricity tariffs
One of the biggest obstacles to burying electrical wires is the cost. Just to bury the wiring in downtown São Paulo, the city government estimates that around R$20 billion would be needed. If the idea is to bury the city's entire electrical grid, this value could jump to something between R$100 billion and R$150 billion. These astronomical numbers have led experts to suggest a gradual plan, where the goal would be to bury 2% to 4% of the network per year, allowing for a more financially viable implementation.
With these high costs, there is a fear that the cost will be passed directly to consumers, resulting in significant increases in electricity rates. However, the long-term benefits are undeniable, such as grid stability and reduced accidents, which would bring greater safety and reliability to cities.
Political challenges and the slow progress of burial projects
Although the burial of electrical wires has been a topic of discussion in several municipal administrations, progress has been slow. During the João Doria administration, for example, the “Cidade Linda Redes Aéreas” program promised to bury 52 km of wires, but the results were modest. Currently, the “SP sem Fios” program, under the current administration, has managed to complete or start only 38,4 km.
Furthermore, the concession contract of Enel, the company responsible for distributing electricity in São Paulo, does not require the undergrounding of cables as an obligation. Therefore, the expansion of this type of network depends on political decisions and a strategic allocation of both public and private investments.
Impact on cities during construction and future benefits
There is no denying that burying electrical wires would bring advantages such as reducing blackouts, improving safety and creating a more organized urban landscape. However, the implementation process can be extremely disruptive to everyday life in cities. Opening streets, closing roads and diverting traffic can cause disruptions that can last for months or even years, depending on the extent of the work.
Even with all these setbacks, the investment in burying cables is a long-term solution that can guarantee a more stable and lasting electrical grid, especially in times of severe climate change.
What we can only ask ourselves is: in the face of so many challenges, are we prepared to invest in the future of our cities and prioritize safety and efficiency in the supply of electrical energy? Do you believe that burying electrical wires is the ideal solution or should we look for alternatives? Share your opinion in the comments!
