Rio - The Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Maurício Tolmasquin reaffirmed today (26) that Brazil does not run the risk of a new blackout in 2008. According to Tolmasquin, hydroelectric plants for which the construction contracts are already being concluded will begin operations in the next four years, meeting the expected increase in demand consistent with economic growth forecasts. "Beginning in 2008, new plants will come on line. So, the situation is one of total calm and tranquility, and there is no problem," he insisted.

The Secretary's declaration runs counter to the concern manifested by the academic community associated with the Coordination of Post-Graduation and Research in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ) in a study released at the opening of the X Brazilian Energy Congress. Prepared by the same group that in 1999 predicted the blackout and the ensuing rationing of energy in 2001, the document contains graphs and tables with projections about a new collapse.

The coordinator of the study, Luis Pinguelli Rosa, underscored that "the possibility of an energy collapse should be debated intensely, in order for the Brazilian government and private enterprise to accelerate their investments in new power plants, which take at least five years to go into operation."

"The study demonstrates our concerns over the demand for electricity and suggests that the causes of the 2007 blackout may already be present," he added. The X Brazilian Energy Congress will continue through Thursday (28), discussing topics such as nuclear energy, natural gas, and petroleum.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Cristiane Ribeiro
Translator: David Silberstein
10/26/2004