As El Nino threatens, hydropower plants in the south of Brazil prepare for heavy rainfall
Generators are reviewing their plans to deal with large volumes of water. Scientists believe that a severe El Nino will occur in the next few months.
The Brazilian units of China Three Gorges and French Engie, two of the largest dam operators in Brazil, have said that they are preparing for a number of things, including spillway testing to ensure that dams operate safely, and engaging with riverside communities who could be affected by releases of water from dams.
Brazil's electricity grid is one of the cleanest in the world, and it relies on hydro dams to generate around two thirds of its total production.
These plants, unlike other sources of clean energy, are vulnerable to the changes in rain patterns caused by El Nino or climate change.
Scientists predict that the El Nino weather pattern, which warms the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean will bring heavy rains to the southern Brazil region while increasing the drought risk in the Amazon.
El Nino in '2024 was the last one to hit the region. It caused widespread flooding in the South, which forced many plants to shut down in the Amazon. This forced Brazil to turn to more dirty sources of energy.
HIGH ALERT
Authorities and energy generators are on high alert for the possible implications of El Nino's impact on energy security.
According to grid operator ONS, rainfall in southern Brazil has increased by 256% compared to the long-term norm in July.
After months of bad weather, local hydro reservoirs have risen to 88% capacity. This is up from 30% in April.
Gilvan Sampaio is a meteorologist with the Brazilian space agency INPE. He said that the recent rains were not a direct result of El Nino. However, the phenomenon will start to influence the region over the next few weeks.
He said that the severity of a?drought in northern Brazil should be clearer at the end of this calendar year. It will also depend upon Atlantic Ocean temperatures.
Marcio Peres said that CTG's Brazil director, Marcio Peres has expressed concern about El Nino and began to implement risk management protocols and measures in June. This was earlier than the usual schedule of September, and ahead of the wet season.
These efforts include spillway tests, the purchase of barriers and equipment for flooding prevention at powerhouses and organizing safety protocols and emergency protocols to communities living downstream from 14 plants.
Engie Brasil said that it has contingency plans and emergency response plans to adapt to El Nino.
Guilherme Ferreira, director of renewable energy storage, said: "Given that there is a possibility of more intense weather events, the company's advantage lies in enhanced weather monitoring over the short and long term and the strengthening of prevention measures across their assets and nearby communities." (Reporting and editing by Manuela Andréoni, Aurora Ellis and Leticia Fucuchima)
(source: Reuters)
