Solidarity in the climate tragedy of the South

In line with the Federal Government, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) actively participated in the national solidarity and reconstruction movement in Rio Grande do Sul, following the climate tragedy that began in April 2024, marked by heavy rains and floods that affected more than 2.3 million residents in the state and caused over 180 deaths.

With MME staff and affiliates mobilized, a Situation Room was established to work intensively and continuously to restore electricity and fuel supply, while also ensuring the safety of the population.

Activities involved the Electric System Monitoring Committee (CMSE), the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP), the National Electric System Operator (ONS), the Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE), the Geological Service of Brazil (SGB), and distribution concessionaires operating in the state.

Below is a summary of the main actions and results:

• Reconnection of electricity to more than 561,000 customers, equivalent to 1.2 million people, with over 4,000 workers engaged in maintenance and restoration efforts. 

• Mobilization of more than 200 electrician teams from other states, with logistical support from the Armed Forces, in a joint effort to restore the regional power grid. 

• Deployment of over 200 emergency generators to hospitals, daycare centers, shelters, schools, and other essential facilities. 

• Mobilization of mobile substations from distributors in other states to accelerate the reconnection of consumer units. 

• Guaranteed supply of gasoline and diesel for vehicles and machinery, as well as aviation kerosene for aircraft and helicopters used in relief, assistance, and rescue operations. 

• Fuel and cooking gas supply normalized within 20 days. 

• Local thermoelectric generation and imports of electricity from Uruguay in the early days, ensuring full availability of energy to consumers whose service had not been interrupted. 

• Donation of gas cylinders to 235 Solidarity Kitchens. 

• Signing of three agreements for the donation of household appliances to displaced families, including 4,724 refrigerators and 4,724 stoves, totaling R$ 11.5 million. 

• Allocation of resources from the National Energy Conservation Program (Procel) for energy efficiency actions in affected municipalities, with up to R$ 300 million directed to public and philanthropic hospitals, daycare centers, schools, and the revitalization of public buildings. 

• Normalization of natural gas supply in Rio Grande do Sul, a key input for fuel production and electricity generation, ensuring stable demand for the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (Refap), the Rio Grande do Sul State Gas Company (Sulgas), and the Canoas thermoelectric plant. 

• Reinforcement of aviation kerosene (QAV) supply at multiple airports in the state and in Santa Catarina. 

• In coordination with Petrobras, deployment of high-capacity pumps to assist in draining water at critical flooding sites, equipment typically used in large-scale operations and contingency plans.