Federal Government will hire thermoelectric plants to reinforce the Brazilian electrical system and consumers may suffer a new impact on their electricity bills

To reinforce the Brazilian electrical system, the Federal Government will contract thermoelectric plants to alleviate the water crisis

This Thursday (10), the Federal Government, to reinforce the recovery of the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants in Brazil between 2022 and 2025, approved the contracting of thermoelectric plants which, due to the higher production cost, may increase the electricity bill of consumers. The Federal Government's action, with the use of thermoelectric plants, was taken as a result of the low levels of the reservoirs of the hydroelectric plants in the Midwest and Southeast regions, the source of the electricity sector in Brazil, which have reservoirs below 20%, almost at the limit of operation.

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Secretary of the MME speaks

According to Cristiano Vieira da Silva, secretary of electric energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the lack of rain in the coming months is a cause for concern, and the hydroelectric reservoirs are at around 28% of their storage capacity.

To get an idea, if we think about a water tank, 70% of it is empty. It is a situation that needs a lot of attention, so it is necessary to use thermoelectric plants and save energy. Brazil has only two months to go, so we have until the months of September, October and November until the next wet season is characterized.

President Jair Bolsonaro, through a live held on Thursday (9), admitted the crisis and recommended that consumers save energy at home. According to the president, if consumers can turn off at least one light bulb, let them turn it off, as we are going through the biggest water crisis in Brazilian history.

In November, everyone is looking forward to the rainy season. If not, we will have a big problem. However, it is possible to collaborate even now, saving electricity.

Government of MS waives ICMS on consumers' electricity bills

This Friday (10) Governor Reinaldo Azambuja announced that he will not charge ICMS on the electricity bill as long as the water crisis persists. In operation since September 1st, the new flag developed by Aneel increases the bill of Brazilians, making each consumer pay an extra R$ 14,20 for every 100 kWh consumed.

The governor had already decided to zero the ICMS, but as Aneel created the new tariff flag, it was necessary for the Government to develop a new project. With this decision, the government of MS is giving up at least R$ 36 thousand per quarter.

The PL for tax exemption will be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly next Tuesday (14). When it is approved and sanctioned by Governor Reinaldo Azambuja, the PL will benefit all consumers in Mato Grosso do Sul on their electricity bills until April of next year, when the collection of the Aneel flag ends.

CMSE imports electricity from other countries

In August, the CMSE, created by the MME, imported energy from Argentina and Uruguay to avoid rationing and even possible blackouts. In addition to imports, the use of thermoelectric plants also increased. In July, a total of 2.750 MW were imported from the same countries.

In addition, the Federal Government created two voluntary programs, one to avoid energy consumption in industries and the other so that residential consumers use less energy.