The recent heat waves that hit Brazil during the month of October left a significant impact on electricity consumption across the country. According to the EPE Monthly Review, national electricity consumption in September 2023 reached the mark of 44,462 GWh, reflecting a notable increase of 5.2% compared to the same period of the previous year, which represents the highest growth rate since August 2021.
This significant increase in energy consumption was mainly driven by the residential and commercial classes, which recorded notable growth of 9.1% and 8.5%, respectively. This increase can be attributed to the intensive use of refrigeration appliances, such as air conditioners and fans, in response to the extreme heat and record temperatures recorded during the month of September.
Analyzing by regions, it is observed that the North, Central-West and Northeast experienced the greatest increases in electricity consumption in the residential and commercial categories, suggesting a growing demand for electricity in these areas due to high temperatures and the need to maintain habitable conditions in residential and commercial environments.
Still in the industrial sector, despite a more modest growth of 1.9%, the Northeast and North stood out with increases of 11.8% and 6.3%, respectively, indicating that industries in these regions also had to intensify energy use electricity to keep operations running during intense heat.
Furthermore, the energy contracting environment was also impacted, with the free market accounting for 40.8% of total electricity consumption, registering a notable growth of 6.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, the distributors' captive market accounted for 59.2% of national electricity consumption, with an increase of 4.1%, highlighting the need to ensure a stable power supply in the face of extreme weather conditions.
