Brazil has a surplus of hydroelectric power, the result of a good rainy season last year, and national companies hope to maintain exports to Uruguay, where the problems due to the historic drought are not in sight, as Argentinawhich usually has supply problems during the winter.
In 2022, the state joint venture exported electricity at record levels to Argentina during the winter, something that this year will not occur in this magnitude due to the delicate situation facing the country.
The drought has caused 30% of the energy consumed in Uruguay so far in 2023 is imported from Brazil. “Exporting is a good alternative to take advantage of resources that would be wasted, optimize the use of water in reservoirs and, at the same time, represents profits for Brazil and neighboring countries,” he said. Talita Portovice president of the Electric Energy Negotiation Chamber (CCEE).
The CCEE, together with the ONS, are in charge of operating the export of energy produced hydroelectrically in Brazil. Sales to Uruguay and Argentina have already generated revenues of 466 million reais (93.13 million dollars).
The income from the sale of more than 4,200 MW of surplus electricity they have been used to reduce generation costs at hydroelectric plants, which benefits Brazilian consumers, according to the generating companies.
UTE has defended the import of Brazilian electricity at low costs, since it is a lower expense for the state company than putting into operation alternative plans for thermal generation in Uruguayan plants.
The price of energy from Brazil fluctuates between 60 and 100 dollars per megawatt-hour (MWh), this is up to three times cheaper than a MWh of thermal generation.
In the Punta del Tigre plant, the value is 260.5 u$s/MWh, while in the case of the open combined cycle it amounts to 285.8 u$s/MWh, according to a compilation by the consulting firm lush based on data from the state company and SEG Engineering.
Source: Ambito
