Bolsonaro government measure allowed importing energy after blackout

According to information shared by technicians during the Monthly Operation Program (PMO) meeting of the National Electric System Operator (ONS), Brazil had to import electricity from Uruguay and Argentina due to the blackout that hit 25 states and the District Federal on the last day 15.

Brazil imported 216 average megawatts (MWmed) from Argentina and 40 MWmed from Uruguay.

According to technicians, the import took place on an emergency basiswhich was only possible thanks to a measure adopted by the Bolsonaro government.

Ordinance 49/2022 of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), commanded by the then Minister Adolfo Sachsida, allowed the daily negotiation of surplus power generation from hydroelectric plants that are part of the Energy Reallocation Mechanism (MRE).

With the measure, Brazil started to take advantage of the excess water in the reservoirs for the generation of energy. The ordinance came into effect on October 3, 2022.

As meteorological and hydrological conditions for generating electricity have been favorable this year, Brazil has been exporting energy to the two friendly countries almost daily. Therefore, according to ONS technicians, Brazil had balance to receive this energy.

Blackout

ONS continues to investigate the cause of the blackout that affected the entire National Interconnected System (SIN), but rules out any type of sabotage. Roraima was the only state that did not suffer from the blackout because it was not connected to the SIN.

Last Tuesday (22), the Federal Police opened an inquiry to determine the causes of the blackout.

“The investigation, which runs in secrecy, investigates the crimes of sabotage and attacks against the security of public utility services,” the corporation said in a statement.

Also on Tuesday, the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) informed that it has an audit in progress to assess the government’s responsibility.