Brazil’s power grid operator rules out blackout risks

Brazil does not face any risk of widespread power outages in the coming years, grid operator ONS said in a press release.  

However, ONS’s latest medium-term electricity operations plan, which looks at the five years ahead, listed recommendations to strengthen the system in the face of developments including the growth of distributed generation and renewable sources.

Challenges include curtailment and flow inversion, which have been affecting the solar and wind power markets.  

In August 2023, a blackout left around 29mn Brazilians without power due to overload in the transmission grid.   

The ONS plan outlines solutions such as reinforcing the transmission grid, improving the technical requirements for connection to the grid and installing equipment that increases the security and stability of the system. 

“These measures ensure that the Brazilian electricity system continues to operate safely and reliably,” ONS said. 

“In addition, ONS adopts operational measures, which are preventive actions to mitigate risks and avoid, for example, overloading equipment, as well as other electrical phenomena that could compromise the security of the system.”

The combination of energy storage systems with solar and wind parks – including hybrid undertakings – is among the possible solutions to mitigate risks to the electric power system. 

The federal government is considering holding Brazil's first auction specifically designed for batteries in 2025.