Rio, September 9, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Data released by Eletrobrás indicate that electric energy consumption in Brazil grew 5% in the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2002. According to the Department of Energy and Market Studies (DEM), consumption between January and June totalled 149,609 GWh. In June alone, consumption amounted to 24,536 GWh, 1.2% more than in June, 2002.

Among consumer categories, residential consumption grew the most. It accounted for 25% of electric energy bills, corresponding to a 2.7% expansion rate in comparison with June, 2002.

The Eletrobrás data also show that consumption by the industrial sector, responsible for 44% of the country's total consumption, declined 1% in June, in comparison with June, 2002. The cumulative figure for the last twelve months, however, indicates an 8.1% expansion over the preceding 12 month period.

As for the commercial sector, in which consumption between June, 2002, and June, 2003, grew 2.2%, according to Eletrobrás, it has been "maintaining a constant upward trajectory over the last 3 months, shifting from a 0.3% negative result to the 2.2% it presented this June." (DAS)