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Experts Highlight The Burying Of Electric Wires As A Solution To Improve Urban Safety And Prevent Blackouts, But High Costs And Political Complexities Hinder Progress In Brazil.
The recent blackout that left São Paulo in the dark has reignited an old debate: would burying electric wires be the definitive solution to avoid interruptions in the supply of electricity caused by climatic events? Although this alternative promises to enhance urban safety and reduce problems related to overhead networks, implementing this change faces economic, political, and logistical challenges that have so far prevented its widespread adoption.
The burying of electric wires is a practice already adopted in various parts of the world to protect electrical infrastructure from storms, falling trees, and even cable theft. The technique involves replacing traditional light poles with underground conduits, ensuring a power grid that is more resistant to external factors. This also results in a visually cleaner city, free from the tangle of wires overhead.
The Process Of Burying Wires Is Complex And Expensive
Execution involves opening streets, building tunnels, and ensuring that traffic and the daily routine of the city are impacted as little as possible. As an example, the work to bury just 2.2 km of wiring 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 may cost 8 to 10 times more.
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The Burden Of Costs And The Impact On Electric Tariffs
One of the biggest obstacles to burying electric wires is the cost. Just to bury the wiring in downtown São Paulo, the city hall estimates that approximately R$ 20 billion would be necessary. If the idea is to bury the entire electrical network of the city, this amount could rise to between R$ 100 billion and R$ 150 billion. These astronomical figures 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 execution.
With these high costs, there is concern that the expense will be directly passed on to consumers, resulting in significant increases in electric tariffs. However, the long-term benefits are undeniable, such as grid stability and a reduction in accidents, which would bring more safety and reliability to cities.
Political Challenges And The Slow Advancement Of Burying Projects
Although the burying of electric wires has been the subject of discussions in various municipal administrations, progress has been slow. In João Doria’s administration, for instance, the “Cidade Linda Redes Aéreas” program promised to bury 52 km of wiring, but the results were modest. Currently, the “SP sem Fios” program from the current administration has managed to complete or initiate only 38.4 km.
Furthermore, the concession contract with Enel, the company responsible for electricity distribution in São Paulo, does not mandate the burying of wires as a requirement. Thus, the expansion of this type of network depends on political decisions and strategic allocation of both public and private investments.
Impact On Cities During Construction And Future Benefits
It is undeniable that burying electric wires would bring advantages such as a reduction in blackouts, enhanced safety, and a more organized urban landscape. However, the implementation process can be extremely disruptive to the daily life of cities. Opening streets, roadblocks, and traffic detours create inconveniences that may last for months or even years, depending on the scope of the work.
Even with all these setbacks, investing in burying cables is a long-term solution that can ensure a more stable and durable power grid, especially during times of severe climate change.
What remains to be asked is: in light of so many challenges, are we prepared to invest in the future of our cities and prioritize safety and efficiency in electricity supply? Do you believe that burying electric wires is the ideal solution or should we seek alternatives? Share your opinion in the comments!
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