In 2001, the Brazilian population was forced to change their energy consumption habits drastically. The reason? The imminent risk of power cuts across the country, a phenomenon that became known as blackout.
It was the last year of the government of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) and the following year there would be presidential elections. The energy crisis was mainly linked to the lack of planning in the sector and the absence of investments in energy generation and distribution. During his two terms in office, FHC sought to carry out a series of measures to streamline the public machine, which included the privatization of several state-owned companies. Among them were the energy distribution companies, essential to national economic planning, as they were necessary for the operation of the companies. Added to this was the continuous increase in energy consumption thanks to population growth and increased production by industries.
Another factor that contributed to aggravate the situation was the fact that more than 90% of the electricity in Brazil was produced by hydroelectric plants, which need rain to maintain the adequate level of their reservoirs for the generation of energy. However, that year there was a shortage of rain and the water level in the hydroelectric reservoirs was low. In addition, the absence of transmission lines prevented the government from managing power generation from where there was surplus to places where there was a lack of electricity.
Brazil's main source of energy, hydroelectric plants suffered from the lack of rainfall in 2001
The government had to prepare a contingency plan - based on the activation of thermoelectric plants - for the restructuring of the planning (with the institution of future energy auctions in the Wholesale Energy Market, MAE) and to carry out a rapid investment in power lines streaming.
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However, what marked the population were the measures taken by the federal government to force Brazilians to ration energy. As of July 1, 2001, consumers had to voluntarily cut 20% of electricity consumption, otherwise they would have an increase in energy value. According to the plan, whoever consumed up to 100 kilowatts/hour per month (30% of Brazilian homes) would not need to save anything. Above this range, the reduction was mandatory and those who did not adhere to the package ran the risk of having their electricity cut off - for three days in the first offense and six days in case of recurrence. The government even imposed a surcharge on energy bills that exceeded 200 kilowatt hours per month, paying 50% more on what exceeded that level. There would be a second surcharge of 200% for bills over 500 kilowatts.
The exchange of incandescent lamps for fluorescent lamps (much more economical) were the main ways to achieve the goal of reducing consumption, as well as turning off household appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, television, etc., during certain periods of the day. In industry, machines powered by electricity were replaced by others powered by gas, for example.
According to a calculation by the Federal Court of Accounts, the loss caused by the blackout was R$ 54.2 billion. One consequence of the crisis was the elaboration of a recovery plan for the electricity sector, which obtained results that can be seen today, such as better planning for the sector and investment in energy generation electric. The Santo Antônio, Jirau and Belo Monte plants, all in the Amazon, are the product of this investment after the 2001 blackout.
By Tales Pinto
Graduated in History
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PINTO, Tales dos Santos. "The Power Blackout of 2001"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/apagao.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
