Latest News

Brazil most likely to reinstate daytime saving time as dry spell cuts hydropower, sources state

Brazilian authorities are likely to authorize restoring daytime conserving time after it was eliminated five years ago, numerous sources acquainted with the matter said on Thursday, as the nation faces a significant dry spell that has been affecting its power generation efforts.

A prolonged drought has actually forced a policy shift toward using more costly thermoelectric plants and energy imports, which is boosting power costs.

In spite of the development of wind and solar energy in Latin America's largest economy in recent years, majority of Brazil's power supply still originates from hydroelectric plants.

The dry spell has actually impacted a few of the country's biggest hydroelectric plants, including 2 powered by an

Amazonian river

.

The level of tanks in the essential Southeast/Center-West region, Brazil's main hydroelectric area, is anticipated to end September below 50%, as the area also gets less than 50% of the typical rainfall for this time of year.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro eliminated the daytime saving time after he took office in 2019, on premises that it was no longer benefiting the nation's power sector.

By moving the clocks forward an hour in between November and February, Brazilian Summer season Time's objective was to utilize more daylight hours and conserve energy.

However, officials now believe that restoring it could aid reduce pressure on the power system in late afternoons, when consumption is at its peak but solar energy stations stop creating electrical energy as the sun sets.

The inclination is towards approving it, among the sources stated. A research study by ONS (Brazil's national electrical system operator) will serve as base, but essentially the decision will be political.

Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira has already acknowledged that the return of the daylight conserving time was a. possibility. He will attend an energy committee meeting in the future. Thursday and then speak in an interview.

Some sectors have cheered the possibility while others would. likely be negatively impacted.

Bars and restaurants backed the move, with regional association. Abrasel saying the additional hour of daylight would assist increase. the variety of clients at 6-8 p.m. and might drive monthly. revenues up 10% to 15%.

Moving clocks forward by one hour, however, would affect. flight schedules, forcing airlines to change the departure and. arrival times of their flights and connections while facing. extra costs to move crews.

The sources did not know when the daytime saving time might. entered into impact after authorities' approval.

The

(source: Reuters)