Fears Of World Cup Blackouts Grow In Brazil; Multiple Reservoirs @ Record Lows In Hydro-Heavy Grid
EDIT
Although recent rains have brought some relief, many parts of Brazil are in the grip of the most severe drought for years, and temperatures have been unusually high. In many areas, reservoirs at hydro plants – which produce about 70 percent of Brazil’s power – are at record lows.
São Paulo state in the southeast, where the World Cup’s opening game will be staged on June 12, is home to more than 43 million people and is the country’s economic powerhouse. But it has been experiencing its worst drought since rainfall records began in 1930. In order to keep the lights on, the government of President Dilma Rousseff has been desperately upping energy supplies from thermal power stations. But fears persist that blackouts will hit during the World Cup.
Public Anger
If that happens, it’s likely to add to the anger felt by many Brazilians about the billions of dollars being spent on facilities for the football tournament – and on staging the Olympics next year (ed. - sic.) To ward of public discontent, the government has been forced to spend the equivalent of more than $5 billion to subsidize utilities that are having to replace hydro power with more expensive oil, coal and natural gas.
Analysts say consumers will have to pay substantially more for their energy, although price hikes are likely to be delayed until after elections in October. The government has also dismissed the idea of power rationing – for now at least.
EDIT
http://www.climatecentral.org/news/drought-prompts-fear-of-blackouts-at-world-cup-17496
