Brazil has temporarily shut down two of its largest hydroelectric power plants due to a severe drought, as water levels in the River Madeira reach critically low levels. On August 7, the Electric Sector Monitoring Committee (CMSE) advised the government to minimize hydropower usage and instead focus on thermal power sources and electricity imports from Argentina and Uruguay. The current drought conditions are expected to persist until November 30, according to Brazil’s National Water Agency.
As the world’s second-largest producer of hydroelectricity, Brazil generated 41 GW of hydropower in 2023. Despite expectations for continued high levels of hydro generation this year, the ongoing drought on the River Madeira has significantly disrupted the country’s energy plans.