Low production of renewable energies in October leads Brazil to increase electricity imports

When renewable production drops in a key month, the Brazilian electricity system needs to compensate quickly. In October, the combination of weaker winds, irregular rains, and higher consumption pressured the grid and increased electricity imports.

Low renewable production in October: why did Brazil import more electricity?

Brazil typically records annual renewable participation above 80%, reaching peaks of 88% in 2024. Nonetheless, seasonality weighs heavily: in October, the renewable contribution fell to around 50% of consumption, allowing for imports and thermal generation.

Electricity consumption increased compared to the same month last year, rising from 4,327 GWh to 4,377 GWh. Compared to September, there was a 1.2% increase, a sign of a more heated economic activity and temperatures requiring more cooling.

The distribution of renewable production during the period illustrates the challenge: wind 21.3%, hydropower 12.3%, solar photovoltaic 11.1%, and biomass 5.4%. With erratic winds and contained hydrology, coverage fell short of what was necessary.

To balance supply, gas-fired plants were activated and imports reached 32% of monthly consumption — the highest level observed this year. Non-renewable sources accounted for about 18%, closing the balance securely, but with higher costs.

• 🌬️ Winds below average: seasonal reduction in wind generation in some areas.
• 💧 Contained reservoirs: prudent hydrological operation to preserve water for summer.
• 🌥️ Irregular insolation: fewer usable sunlight hours in key regions.
• 📈 Higher demand: industry and services on the rise and increased use of air conditioning.
• 🧩 Grid and transmission: regional bottlenecks increase the need for imports.

In natural gas, total consumption rose 18%, driven by a surge of 121.7% in the volume allocated to electricity generation. The electricity market accounted for 35.1% of the gas consumed, while the conventional market accounted for 64.9%, down about 5.8% compared to the previous year.

LNG purchases reflected the global situation: 48.3% of shipments came from the USA, 43.7% from Nigeria, and 8% from Spain-related operations (including reexports). In such scenarios, precise planning avoids greater volatility in prices.

In summary, October highlighted how the Brazilian clean matrix remains robust, yet subject to meteorological windows requiring short-term flexibility.

Impacts on the electricity bill and energy security: what changes for you

When imports and thermals rise, the trend is higher short-term costs. This can appear in mechanisms such as tariff flags and the hourly price of energy in the free market.

For residential consumers and small businesses, the good news is there are simple tools to navigate these critical months with comfort and predictability. The secret is to combine efficiency, light automation, and usage choices throughout the day.

In regions with strong morning insolation, shifting loads to that period already eases the bill. In places with white tariffs, prioritizing off-peak hours is a straightforward and effective measure.

• 🕒 Hourly tariff: schedule washing machines, water heating, and e-bike charging outside peak times.
• 🤖 Smart plugs: automate equipment to turn on when energy is cheaper.
• 🌡️ Efficient air conditioning: adjust thermostat by 1–2°C and use cross-ventilation.
• 💡 LEDs and sensors: cut invisible consumption without affecting comfort.
• 🔋 Microbattery: 2–5 kWh can already soften peak demand on cloudy days.

Domestic energy security also depends on a good “consumption architecture.” In October, households that practiced demand reduction between 6 PM and 9 PM felt less of the peak price effects. It’s a low-cost and high-impact strategy.

Small businesses can integrate real-time monitoring and weekly consumption targets. This management culture transforms variable spending into predictable decisions, even when the grid relies on imports.

By combining these practices, you gain tariff resilience. And, indirectly, help the system get through months of lower renewable generation without stress.

Sector responses: storage, demand, and smart grids to stabilize October

The pathway to reducing imports in critical months involves flexibilizing the matrix. This includes storing when there’s surplus, shifting consumption when there’s scarcity, and transporting energy with smarter grids.

Storage is already a reality in three fronts: distributed batteries, pumped storage plants, and systems in wind-solar parks. In all cases, the logic is the same — store cheap, use during expensive peaks.

Demand-side management is growing with digitalization. Dynamic tariffs, aggregators, and connected devices allow cuts of 5–20% at peak, avoiding the activation of expensive thermal plants.

• 🔋 Residential and commercial batteries: instant relief at peak and greater autonomy.
• 🏞️ Reversible hydropower storage: scale for nighttime coverage.
• 🚗 V2G and electric fleets: cars as mini mobile power plants during high-price hours.
• 🖧 Smart grids: fine visibility to reduce losses and relieve bottlenecks.
• 🧮 Hourly markets: clear financial signals to invest where the grid needs it.

An inspiring case study is the “Ipê Condominium,” which combined 120 kW of solar with 240 kWh of batteries and load control during peak times. In a challenging October, peak demand fell 37%, reducing exposure to high prices and alleviating the local feeder.

At the residential scale, the “Casa Aurora,” designed with passive principles, included a microbattery of 4 kWh and scheduled water heating. Result: almost zero consumption between 6 PM and 8 PM on weekdays, with stable thermal comfort.

The combined effect is powerful: less thermal activation, fewer imports, and more predictability. This is what stabilizes October and any month with unfavorable weather.

For those planning buildings and neighborhoods, it’s worth integrating these resources from the project stage. Viability increases when urban design and electrical engineering communicate from the beginning.

Curtailed, overloaded, and planning: how to avoid wasting renewable energy

Paradoxically, Brazil faces two opposing problems throughout the year: at certain times, there’s a lack of wind and rain; at others, there are surplus renewables that do not reach consumption due to curtailment (generation cuts) and grid bottlenecks. International reports have already warned that 2025 may mark a slowdown in the expansion of renewable capacity if these barriers persist.

Curtailment occurs when there’s insufficient transmission, when local demand is low, or when dispatch rules do not prioritize available clean energy. For the consumer, this translates into wasted energy that could lower tariffs and emissions.

Resolving this knot requires governance, infrastructure, and technology. Well-planned transmission lines, substations with hybrid systems, and markets valuing flexibility form the basic tripod.

• 🧵 Lines and interconnections: shorten licensing time, prioritize critical corridors.
• 🧪 Hybridization: solar and wind sharing connection and battery to “flatten” the curve.
• 🧠 Market rules: hourly pricing and ancillary services clearly remunerated.
• 📡 Digitalization: granular weather forecasting and advanced control of plants.
• 🌍 Regional integration: importing/exporting intelligently according to weather conditions.

Recent history shows that when transmission and generation advance together, renewable energy ceases to be “intermittent” and becomes “orchestrated.” And an orchestrated grid is precisely what requires fewer thermal plants and less import during challenging months.

Unlocking these fronts converts renewable surplus into energy security and reduces the need for imports in low months.

The next natural step is to align sector planning and building architecture. That’s where flexible consumption meets renewable supply more precisely.

Efficient architecture: how your house can navigate dry and cloudy months with comfort

Well-designed homes reduce dependence on the grid precisely when energy becomes more expensive. In October, passive strategies and microgeneration can ensure thermal comfort and savings effortlessly.

The principle is simple: design for the climate. Solar protections, cross-ventilation, thermal mass, and natural light reduce the need for air conditioning and artificial lighting during critical hours.

By adding light automation and small storage systems, the house becomes an ally of the grid. The result is flatter consumption, less pressure at peak times, and predictable bills.

• 🪟 Shades and brises: reduce solar gains and keep things cool.
• 🌬️ Cross-ventilation: removes accumulated heat at the end of the afternoon.
• 🪵 Thermal mass: floors and walls that stabilize temperature.
• 🔌 Smart plugs: schedule loads outside of peak hours.
• 🔋 2–5 kWh storage: covers dinner and showers without resorting to peak times.

A practical roadmap works well for renovations and new constructions. Start with the envelope (shading and airtightness), move on to lighting and efficient air conditioning, and finish with basic automation and, if possible, microbattery.

For inspiration, it’s worth following reference content focused on passive houses and energy autonomy solutions. A good starting point is to explore ideas and guides on specialized platforms like Ecopassivehouses.pt, which gather applicable tips for any climate region.

In the end, the house that “works for” the local climate can navigate any October with elegance and controlled consumption.

Step by step for families and managers: from quick diagnosis to action in 30 days

Transforming the electricity bill into a planning ally begins with a simple diagnosis. In 30 days, it is possible to organize data, adopt measures without construction, and point out investments that pay off comfortably.

The method below combines bill reading, instant measurement, and weekly routines. In the end, the residence becomes less exposed to imports and peak rates typical of months like October.

The process also works for condominiums and small businesses. Clear goals, involvement of residents/employees, and an objective checklist are all that’s needed.

• 📄 Week 1: gather bills, identify peak hours and heavy loads.
• 📊 Week 2: install smart plugs and schedule appliances.
• 🛠️ Week 3: thermal adjustments (sealing, curtains, light brises).
• 🔋 Week 4: evaluate microbattery and additional automation.
• 🔁 Review: compare before/after and consolidate habits.

To assist with prioritization, the matrix below organizes impact, cost, and implementation time. It is useful for deciding what to do first when the grid is stressed and imports rise.

If the goal is to navigate low renewable months with serenity, the first step is simple: start today with what doesn’t require construction. The rest will follow with good habits.

Source: www.tveuropa.pt