Hydropower plants brace for heavy rains in southern Brazil as severe El Niño looms

SAO PAULO, July 31 - Hydropower plants are gearing up for rains to grow heavier in southern Brazil amid what scientists believe will be a severe El Niño in the coming months, with generators reviewing plans to handle large volumes of water that may need to be discharged.

Brazilian units of China Three Gorges (CTG) and French Engie, two of the country’s largest dam operators, told Reuters that their preparations include actions such as spillway tests to ensure dams can operate safely and engagement with riverside communities that could be affected by water releases from dams.

Brazil has one of the world's cleanest electricity grids, which relies on hydro dams for around two-thirds of total generation.

While these plants provide flexibility to meet power consumption during peak hours, unlike other clean energy sources, they are also vulnerable to changes to rain patterns associated with the El Niño and climate change.

Scientists expect the severe El Niño, a weather pattern that warms sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, to bring heavy rainfall to southern Brazil while increasing the risk of drought in the Amazon region.

The last El Niño, in 2024, severely reduced the output of plants in the Amazon and forced several others to halt operations in the south because of widespread flooding, pushing Brazil to turn to dirtier sources of energy.

HIGH ALERT

The likely implications of this El Niño for energy security have put authorities and power generators on alert.

Rainfall has already increased in hydroelectric basins across southern Brazil in July, reaching 256% of the long-term average, according to data from grid operator ONS.

Local hydro reservoirs climbed to 88% of the capacity, up from the critical levels of 30% hit in April after months of unfavorable weather conditions.

The recent rains are not a direct consequence of the El Niño, but the phenomenon is expected to start influencing the region in the coming weeks, said Gilvan Sampaio, a meteorologist at Brazilian space agency INPE.

The severity of a drought in northern Brazil should become clearer by the end of this year, as it will also depend on Atlantic Ocean temperatures, he added.

CTG, which owns a large hydropower portfolio in the South and Southeast regions, began implementing risk management measures and protocols in June, earlier than its usual September schedule ahead of the rainy season, due to concerns about El Niño, said Marcio Peres, the company's director in Brazil.

The efforts include spillway tests, the acquisition of barriers and equipment to prevent flooding at powerhouses, and organizing safety and emergency protocols for communities living downstream from its 14 plants.

Engie Brasil, whose hydropower portfolio spans the country, said it also has contingency and emergency response plans in place to adapt to the El Niño.

"Given the possibility of a more intense weather event, the company's edge lies in enhanced short- and long-term weather monitoring and the strengthening of preventive measures across its assets and surrounding communities," said Guilherme Ferrari, the firm's director of renewable energy and storage. REUTERS