The number of suspected vandalism on power transmission lines rises to 7

The number of suspected cases of vandalism in energy transmission towers in the country reached seven. The last one was verified this Saturday (14) in a line that transports energy from the Madeira river hydroelectric plants, in Rondônia, to the Southeast region.

In view of the growth in cases, the Ministries of Mines and Energy and Justice met this Monday (16) to discuss the matter. They asked the governments of Rondônia, Paraná and São Paulo —states where the occurrences were recorded— to adopt preventive measures and investigations.

Suspicions of vandalism in transmission towers began after Bolsonarists attacked Congress, the Planalto Palace and the STF (Federal Supreme Court), on the 8th.

“We are outraged that these criminals are destroying the property of all Brazilian men and women,” said the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, in a note released after the meeting. “We will act with the rigor of the law, punish and collect compensation from the vandals.”

The ministries are also analyzing the integrated action of state and federal security agents to expand patrols in strategic areas and reinforce the monitoring of transmission lines, with the use of new technologies such as cameras and drones.

According to Aneel (National Electric Energy Agency), since the 8th, four towers have been demolished and three others have been vandalized. The agency says that there were no impacts to the energy supply.

Four occurrences were verified by the transmission concessionaires between Thursday (12) and Saturday: two in São Paulo, on Taesa and ISA Cteep lines; one in Paraná, on the Furnas line; and the last one, on one of the Madeira lines, operated by Eletronorte.

The Eletronorte tower was demolished, according to Aneel. In its daily operating bulletin, the ONS (National Electric System Operator) reports the automatic disconnection of the transmission line that connects Pimenta Bueno to Vilhena, in Rondônia, due to a tower fall.

The occurrence had no significant consequences for the system, says the operator, and the causes are being investigated. The forecast is that the tower will be back in operation this Thursday (19).

Five of the seven attacks detected occurred on lines that bring energy from hydroelectric plants farther from the major consumer centers in the Southeast region. These systems usually have more than one line, to avoid a supply drop in case of problems.

“The companies are acting on the detected faults and the events are being monitored and inspected by the agency”, said Aneel, in a note released on Monday. This Tuesday (17), the MME will meet with the agency, the ONS and companies in the sector to evaluate preventive measures.