ONS reduces rainfall forecast at hydroelectric plants in the Southeast in December

The ONS (National Electric System Operator) reduced its rainfall projections in December for hydroelectric plants in the Southeast/Midwest, where the largest plants in the country are located, in addition to forecasting reservoirs at lower levels, the agency’s weekly bulletin pointed out on Friday. fair (10).

The hydroelectric plants in the Southeast and Midwest will receive rainfall equivalent to 78% of the historical average for December in the new ONS estimate, compared to 97% in the previous forecast. The reservoirs in these regions should reach 22.6% of their capacity by the end of the month, versus a previous projection of 25.7%.

The reduction in these indicators is a negative sign, after hydroelectric reservoirs experienced the worst drought in more than 90 years in Brazil this year, requiring a series of government actions to guarantee energy supply, such as the connection of more expensive thermal plants and importing electricity.

The ONS also predicted that the hydroelectric plants in the Northeast will receive rain equivalent to 82% of the historical average of December, against 77% in the previous forecast. The hydroelectric plants in the South will receive rainfall equivalent to 32% of the historical average for the month, compared to 41% in the previous forecast.

The ONS also sees a 0.6% drop in electricity load in Brazil in December, compared to a forecast of a 0.9% increase in the previous week.