Energy from thermoelectric plants, a more expensive source compared to hydroelectric plants, is being used due to the lack of rainfall, making the electricity bill more expensive

According to data from the National Electrical System Operator (ONS), thermoelectric energy generation in January this year was the highest since 2015 and the second highest level in the second month since the beginning in 1999. The energy produced by thermoelectric plants is more expensive than hydroelectric plants and with that, the increase in the electricity bill is inevitable. The scarcity of rain is the main reason why the thermoelectric source is widely used.

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Thermoelectric plants and additional costs on the electricity bill

ANEEL reported that in January alone consumers paid 1,29 billion reais for energy to offset the additional costs arising from the more frequent use of thermoelectric plants. The increase in electricity costs is due to the lack of rainfall between the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, that is, in the middle of the rainy season in the Southeast and Midwest regions, where the main hydroelectric plants in the country are located.

This situation led to a sharp drop in the amount of water stored in the reservoirs of these hydroelectric plants. When that happens, the government needs to save water from these reservoirs and reduce energy production from hydroelectric plants. To compensate and be able to meet the demand for energy, thermoelectric plants must be activated.

Aneel informs that the increase in the electricity bill should be the biggest since 2018

The general director of Aneel – National Electric Energy Agency, André Pepitone states that the average increase in the electricity bill in 2021 should be the highest since 2018. André estimates an increase of 13%, which with tax refunds could fall to 8 %, but which will still be the highest rate in three years.

According to Aneel, several factors led to a sharp increase in electricity bills in 2021, ranging from greater use of thermoelectric plants to exchange rates.