BRASILIA: Rainfall in April across Brazil’s Southeast and Midwest regions will total just 85% of the 84-year monthly average, with corresponding electricity output across the region expected to average 35,664 MW, Brazil’s National Electric System Operator said.
An early start to Brazil’s dry season, which runs from April through November, could prompt an increase in LNG imports as Brazil looks to shore up hydroelectric power with natural gas imports used to feed its gas-fired thermal power plants, capable of generating up to 10,178 MW, the electric system operator, ONS, said in a report.
Brazil imported four LNG tankers with a total volume of 11.76 Bcf of gas in the first 10 days of April, Platts unit Eclipse Energy data showed Monday. At their current pace, LNG imports this month will outpace April 2014 imports, which totaled just 23.08 Bcf, by more than 50%.
Under normal climatic conditions Brazil’s hydroelectric dams can generate sufficient energy to meet 80% of its power demand. During the recent drought, thermal plants including those fired by gas, coal, biomass, fuel oil and diesel have been picking up the slack left by depleted reservoirs.
