ONS: Brazil electricity supply guaranteed for 5 yrs

Brazil's electricity supply is guaranteed for the next five years, even with demand growing 6% annually from 2002, according to Mario Santos, the president of the National Network Operator (ONS). "We're in the best situation since 1999, with reservoir levels extremely satisfactory and with the prospect of new energy sources going onto the market," he said, ruling out the possibility of power rationing this year. Santos said that in 2003 an extra 2,500 megawatts demand has been added to the Brazilian market, excluding domestic consumption which is up following the rationing of 2001. The ONS president added that the only region in which reservoir levels are low, as the dry season draws to a close, is the South, where they are an average 43% full. The region is responsible for only 13% of the country´s reservoir capacity. The Southeast is responsible for 70% and reservoirs are 53% full in that region. "The Southeast's level should fall further, by another 10% before the end of the year. But that´s still way above a risk curve that says reservoirs can be only 10% full without harming the consumer," he said. by Kelly Lima