Electricity consumption rose 3.2% in May, to 40,435 megawatts (MW), compared to the same period last year, according to the Energy Research Company (EPE). The data highlights the need for energy savings by consumers in general.
Industrial electricity consumption, for example, rose 2.5% in the same comparison, but in the series of accumulated rates over the last 12 months it registered a drop of 0.4% up to May.
In the year to May, the drop in industrial electricity consumption was 1.4%, the only decline recorded among the classes surveyed. Residential consumption in 2019 up to May grew by 3.9%, and the commercial sector, by 4.3%.
According to the technical arm of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) for planning the energy sector, the increase in consumption in the month of May was influenced by the statistical effect of a low base in May 2018, affected by the truck drivers' strike.
“In addition, the industrial class continued to be impacted in May by the effects of the environmental disaster in Brumadinho (MG), reflected in the 13.9% drop in electricity consumption in the metallic mineral extraction sector”, reported EPE in its Monthly Review.
Energy saving
With the aim of encouraging conscious and efficient consumption of electrical energy, CEBDS produced the publication “Efficient Consumption of Electric Energy: an agenda for Brazil”. The work shows measures and actions capable of promoting energy savings.
CEBDS points out actions for efficient consumption of electrical energy
In Business:
- Replacing incandescent and fluorescent lamps with LED lamps;
- Replacement of equipment with more efficient technologies;
- Optimization of the refrigeration system (sealing, use of thermostat, evaporator, positioning of equipment, combating leaks).
In residences:
- Awareness regarding better consumption habits, such as turning off equipment when not in use, keeping temperature-controlled environments closed and properly sizing fan speed and air conditioning temperature;
- Turn off appliances in standby mode. Using “smart plugs”, which have their own switches, can make this easier;
- Replace fluorescent lamps with LED;
- Build and renovate houses, considering a greater share of natural lighting and/or new light reflection technologies (which maintain the same brightness with a lower required lamp power).
