ONS switches on 14 more northeast plants

National grid operator ONS authorized Friday a further 14 of the 57 emergency thermoelectric generation plants to start operations as power demand in Brazil's northeast picks up after the New Year break and the lack of rain continues, local press reported. The plants make a further 400MW available in Pernambuco, Bahia and Ceara states. The new power is in addition to the 800MW capacity made available by the nine thermal generators authorized to sell energy since December 27. Reservoirs in the northeast are currently at 14.26% of capacity, 1.16% below the minimum security level. On Sunday, consumption in the northeast reached an average 5,654MW. Hydroelectric generation from within the region was 3,393MW while the 23 emergency plants now operating supplied 502MW. The southeastern region supplied 685MW and the northern region 1,073MW. Because of emergency plants' higher costs - some 300 reais/MWh, compared to 75 reais/MWh for hydroelectric generation - ONS will review the situation to decide if the plants need to operate beyond Friday (Jan.9). The extra costs - estimated at 109mn reais (US$38mn) in January - are prorated among clients nationwide.