Brazil exports enough electricity to supply 30% of Uruguay

Brazil exports enough electricity to supply 30% of Uruguay's consumption. The amount represents an increase of 142% compared to January 2023. Total exports were essential to supply around 30% of the country's energy consumption.

Key Highlights:

*Together, Argentina and Uruguay, the main importers of Brazilian energy, received more than 1,500 MWmed of electricity from Brazil in February this year.

* The amount would supply almost 10 million residential consumer units.

Original Press Release:

March 21 -- Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil issued the following news release:

- Electric energy exported comes from hydroelectric surpluses, does not affect the security of supply and brings benefits to Brazilian consumers of electric energy.

Brazil exported around 380 average megawatts (MWmed) to Uruguay during the entire month of February 2023. The amount represents an increase of 142% compared to January, according to data released by the Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE). The total amount exported was essential to supply around 30% of the country's electricity consumption, as informed by the Uruguayan government, in a note sent to the Brazilian government this month.

The commercial export of electricity by Brazil to neighboring countries was made possible for the first time in January 2023 and was possible due to the significant recovery of the levels of the main reservoirs of the National Interconnected System (SIN), generating surpluses of renewable energy that can be exported without jeopardize the security of supply in Brazil. This type of operation is supported by guidelines established by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).

The trend is to further expand this integration, according to the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira: “Following President Lula’s guidelines, the MME will work to increase this energy integration between countries, joining forces in the energy transition process , enabling investments, reducing costs and strengthening the electricity sector, to the benefit of Brazilian consumers and neighboring countries”, he highlights.

According to the Electric Energy Secretary of the MME, Gentil Nogueira, the businesses made possible with the export of electric energy produce revenues for electric energy consumers and the agents involved. “New modalities are under study, bearing in mind that we have one of the most renewable matrices in the world and, with exports, we will be able to expand the use of surplus energy in our country and make better use of existing infrastructure, reducing costs for the final consumer” , completed.

Main regulations

In addition to MME Ordinance No. 49/2022, on the commercial export of electricity to Argentina and Uruguay from hydroelectric surpluses, MME Ordinance No. 339/2018 is in force in Brazil, which deals with the commercial import of electricity into Brazil, MME Ordinance No. 418/2019, on commercial export of electricity from Brazil, from thermoelectric plants. It is important to note that all commercial exports of electricity from Brazil are based on energy surpluses that would not be used by Brazil and, therefore, do not affect Brazilian energy security.

Together, Argentina and Uruguay, the main importers of Brazilian energy, received more than 1,500 MWmed of electricity from Brazil in February this year. The amount would supply almost 10 million residential consumer units, considering the average consumption in Brazil, and would be enough to supply energy for 1 year and a half to all residences in the state of Tocantins.

Disclaimer: The Above Content is Auto-Translated

Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil

[Category: Regulatory and Legal]