According to the Brazilian Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE), electricity consumption in Brazil declined by 1.5% in 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In the first half of 2020, monthly electricity consumption was much lower than in 2019 but it recovered in the second half, exceeding 2019 levels. Consumption in industry was slightly above 2019 levels (+2.6% in the metal production sector, +4.5% in non-metallic minerals, +1% for chemicals, +8.2% for food production), whereas it was 4.2% lower in the service sector. Overall, electricity consumption declined by 3.4% in the regulated market but increased by 2.8% in the liberalised market.
Power generation in the National Interconnected System (SIN) also declined by 1.6% in 2020. Hydropower generation dipped by 0.9% and thermal power generation by 7.1%. On the other hand, renewable power grew in 2020 (+1.5% for wind and +19% for solar PV).