The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, requested this Tuesday (3) that the National Electric System Operator (ONS) prepare a contingency plan capable of guaranteeing energy security in the country until 2026.
The request was made during a preparatory meeting for the 295th meeting of the Electric Sector Monitoring Committee (CMSE). At the meeting, Silveira reinforced the need to activate thermoelectric plants due to the dry period seen in recent months.
“The above-average drought that has been punishing several regions of the country has required us, managers of the electricity sector, to take urgent measures. Brazil’s energy security is a priority for the Lula government,” the minister told the ONS directors.
The months of June, July and August this year recorded the lowest volume of rainfall in the Southeast and Central-West regions in the last 94 years. With the worsening of reservoirs due to the drought, the expectation is that 70% to 80% of thermoelectric plants will be activated to guarantee the supply of energy.
The Electricity Sector Monitoring Committee was created by law 10.848 of 2024, with the mission of permanently monitoring and evaluating the continuity and security of the energy supply throughout the national territory.
The committee is made up of four representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and heads of agencies such as the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), National Petroleum Agency (ANP), Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE), Energy Research Company (EPE) and National Electric System Operator (ONS).
