Rio, 12/6/2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) – Industrial sector consumption of electricity rose 14.4% this October, compared to October last year. There has now been a cumulative rise in sector consumption for the year of 2.4%.

According to the sector holding company, Eletrobras, currency devaluation (rise of the dollar against the real) and high interest rates have inhibited growth in the domestic market, holding down industrial consumption. (AB)