Brazil Boosts Coal, Natural Gas Generation to Power World Cup

Brazil’s main World Cup stadium may boast a 390-kilowatt solar array, but the country has had to increase its reliance on coal and natural gas as a result of the most severe drought in decades. Hydro accounts for more than 70% of Brazil’s electricity but water reservoirs in the southeast and central-west regions of the country are at less than 38% capacity and falling, and much of the power that is generated is lost to an inefficient distribution system. Grid modernization efforts are under way—but to avoid rolling blackouts with the whole world watching, “Brazil has turned to generating more power rather than reducing losses,” Tweed reports. “Utilities are importing more natural gas and ramping up coal-fired power plants, which make up only a small portion of installed capacity.”