Brazil's Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque on Tuesday warned that the country's energy crisis was worse than previously thought, as a record drought hampers hydropower generation.
In a televised national address preempting the nightly news, Albuquerque said that the crisis had deepened. Water reserves at hydropower plants have already fallen to their lowest level in 91 years of records.
He said that as a result of the drought, Brazil had lost hydropower output equal to the energy consumed by the city of Rio de Janeiro in five months. Hydropower is the largest source of energy in Brazil. Albuquerque said that federal government agencies had been directed to cut electricity consumption by 20%.
The country has had to import electricity from its neighbors and boost power generation at plants burning fossil fuels, which is more costly, Albuquerque said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Robbers escape with hostages atop cars in Brazil bank heistRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Bank robbers armed with explosives and high-powered rifles plunged a city in Sao Paulo state’s interior into terror early Monday, taking civilians hostage and even putting some on their cars while making their escape.
Read more »
Brazil Jobless Rate Falls to 14.1% in 3-Month Period Through JuneBy Jeffrey T. Lewis SÃO PAULO--Brazil's unemployment rate declined in the second quarter compared with the three months through May, with employers...
Read more »
Fossil intercepted by Brazil police turns out to be amazing flying reptileJust as it was being prepared to ship out of Brazil in an illegal smuggling operation, the remains of Tupandactylus navigans were seized by police and turned over to scientists who heralded the discovery of a nearly complete fossil.
Read more »
Hostages strapped to getaway cars as robbers target banks in BrazilA gang of armed robbers in Brazil carried out a series of deadly bank heists using human shields strapped to their getaway cars on Monday.
Read more »
Brazil to hire more environmental agents in bid to fight forest firesBrazil Environment Minister Joaquim Pereira Leite said on Tuesday that the government would contract an additional 700 enforcement agents to combat destruction of the Amazon rainforest, including wildfires.
Read more »
COVID Has Worsened The Impact Of Hurricane Ida, Creating A 'Major Disaster' For Louisiana“It’s a major crisis,” said an intensive care doctor at a New Orleans hospital. “It’s about to worsen.”
Read more »