Energy crisis may halt Tietê-Paraná waterway in July

Aggravated by the worst rainfall in 91 years in the southeast and midwest regions, the energy supply crisis will have consequences on national logistics: the Tietê-Paraná Waterway, one of the main river corridors in the country, could be stopped at the beginning of the second half of the year.

In a letter sent to the Secretary of Mines and Energy, ONS (the national electric system operator) asks that emergency changes be made at the reservoirs of two hydroelectric plants on the Paraná River. In practice, these plants compromise or even render unfeasible navigability in the waterway.

In the official letter, obtained by Valor and dated May 21, the ONS reports the need to reduce the lower quota (minimum height of the water levels) of the Ilha Solteira (SP) and Três Irmãos (SP) reservoirs below the 325.4-meter level defined by ANA (the national water agency).

According to ONS, this needs to happen beginning in July. The measure is essential to maintain “hydraulic governance in the Paraná River basin throughout the 2021 dry period”. Reservoirs such as Água Vermelha and Marimbondo, located upstream (above) from these plants, are already at less than 10% of their useful volume and still have several months of drought ahead.

Source: Valor Econômico

To read the full original article, access the link below:

https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2021/06/02/crise-de-energia-pode-parar-hidrovia-tiete-parana-em-julho.ghtml

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