Brazil says no need for daylight saving in 2024, but it could return in 2025

Brazil's mines and energy minister, Alexandre Silveira, has ruled out a return to daylight saving time in 2024, but is considering bringing it back next year.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at a press conference in Brasília, following the thorough analysis of studies conducted by the national grid operator ONS.

However, Silveira highlighted that daylight saving time should be considered a public policy and could be adopted in 2025 to increase electricity system security and to keep power rates in check, if necessary. 

The measures adopted to guarantee energy supply in the midst of the severe drought affecting the country have been sufficient, ensuring that the average level of Brazil's hydroelectric reservoirs is at 49%, according to the mines and energy ministry (MME).

These measures include conservation of water in the Paraná river basin, where the Jupiá and Porto Primavera hydro plants are located, saving around 11% of the water in headwater reservoirs such as Furnas, Itumbiara, São Simão and Nova Ponte. 

An exceptional operation was also carried out at the Belo Monte power plant reservoir to use water during peak system hours without affecting riverside communities. 

In addition, thermal power resources were maximized for power availability during the dry season, and the dispatch of power plants in northern Brazil was minimized throughout the year to utilize them at the end of the dry period. 

A technical solution was also found to maximize the use of hydroelectric generation at the Madeira river plants and enable flexible operations of natural gas-fired thermal power plants.

Also read: Brazil’s gas imports expanding