Brazil monitoring energy assets as evidence of sabotage emerges

Brazil's electric power watchdog Aneel created a monitoring routine to verify information about incidents involving energy assets after possible sabotage cases were registered, a spokesperson confirmed to BNamericas. 

At least three power transmission towers fell on January 8 and 9, according to Aneel and the mines and energy ministry (MME). They are part of the Samuel/Ariquemes transmission line, the Foz/Ibiúna direct current chain and the Porto Velho Araraquara 2-Polo 3 collector.

Radical supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed and vandalized the supreme court, presidential palace and congress on January 8.

Regarding the Samuel/Ariquemes line, in Rondônia, Eletrobras unit Eletronorte found evidence of sabotage, but repairs should be completed Wednesday night. 

Eletrobras’ Furnas and Evoltz, which are responsible for Foz/Ibiúna (Paraná) and Porto Velho Araraquara 2-Polo 3 (Rondônia), respectively, also found evidence of sabotage. 

Oil workers union federation FUP warned the government and federal oil company Petrobras about possible attacks on electric power infrastructure and refineries throughout the country.

According to FUP, the attacks were announced via social networks and aimed at cutting fuel supply to cause popular unrest. The Duque de Caxias refinery (Reduc) in Rio de Janeiro was identified as a first target.

On Tuesday, MME said in a statement that electric power supply was not interrupted anywhere. “The federal and state security agencies were called in to investigate and prevent further acts.”