<article><p class="lead">Brazil's demand for power rose by 2.5pc in April from a year earlier, as consumption grew both in the regulated and free markets.</p><p>Demand rose to an average 65,256MW during the month, compared with 63,646MW in the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the country's power clearing house CCEE.</p><p>Energy consumption among bilateral contract clients rose by 6.5pc from a year earlier, while regulated market clients — domestic and small/medium business consumers — posted a 0.4pc increase on the year.</p><p>CCEE attributes the results to the migration of clients from the regulated market to bilateral contracts and to the adoption of off-grid generation by some regulated consumers.</p><p>Most of the increases in demand were registered in the service sector, with 22pc more power demand than in the previous year; the wood, paper and cellulose sector, up by 18pc; the beverage sector, with a gain of 14pc; and the transportation sector, up by 7.8pc from a year earlier.</p><p>Hydro generation posted a 12pc increase from a year earlier, when the country was suffering from a drought, while thermoelectric plants generated 47pc less energy as they are generally used as backup for hydro and other sources. </p><p>Solar power presented an increase of 66pc, while wind plants generated 12pc more energy compared with a year earlier.</p><p class="bylines">By Rebecca Gompertz</p></article>
