Rio, 9/3/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A report by the Industrial Federation of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan) reveals concern with the lack of investments in the electricity sector, especially with regard to new sources of generation. The report admits that energy is ensured up to 2005, but it warns that there could be problems beginning in 2006, similar to the rationing period in 2001.

According to Mauro Thibau, of the Firjan Energy Sector Council, the government's objective of setting up an energy pool (interconnecting the nation's electricity grid) will raise the costs of electricity for consumers in the Northeast region by 6%, by 4% in Minas Gerais, and reduce the cost by only 1% in Rio and São Paulo. (AB)