SAO PAULO, Oct 16 – In a significant decision that has garnered national attention, Brazil’s government has confirmed that daylight saving time will not return this summer. Energy and Mining Minister Alexandre Silveira made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that Brazil’s power sector is stable and not at risk, despite earlier concerns. This marks the continuation of the absence of daylight saving time, a policy that has been in place since it was abolished in 2019.
Power Sector Stability Avoids Need for Change
Minister Silveira explained that the country’s energy supply remains robust, largely due to efforts in strengthening Brazil’s hydroelectric reservoirs. These reservoirs generate more than half of the nation’s electricity and are crucial for maintaining a steady power supply. According to the minister, these improvements have eliminated any risks to the country’s electricity generation, removing the need for a return to daylight saving time.
“By boosting hydroelectric reservoir levels, we have managed to mitigate the challenges we faced earlier, ensuring that Brazil will not experience power shortages. As a result, the government has decided not to bring back daylight saving time this year,” Silveira told reporters during the press conference.
Future Consideration for Daylight Saving Time
Although the government has decided not to implement daylight saving time for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere summer, Silveira noted that the possibility of reinstating it will be revisited after the summer season. The minister stated that officials will thoroughly assess whether to reintroduce daylight saving time next year based on the country’s power situation at that time.
“We will review the situation after the summer and make an informed decision for 2025. This year, we are confident that the measures taken have been sufficient to prevent any electricity shortages,” Silveira added.
Approvals in Place Amid Earlier Concerns
In September, Brazil’s national grid operator, ONS, recommended the return of daylight saving time amid a significant drought that had impacted power generation. The drought had crimped the production of hydroelectric power, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet electricity demand. The government had also secured all necessary approvals to reintroduce daylight saving time if required.
However, despite the initial recommendation and approvals, the improvements to the hydroelectric reservoirs have proven effective in stabilizing the power sector. This stability has allowed the government to avoid making any immediate changes to the clock for the 2024 summer season.
A Policy Abolished in 2019
Daylight saving time was abolished in Brazil by former President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. Bolsonaro argued that the policy no longer offered significant benefits to the power sector, as the country’s energy consumption patterns had changed. The move was met with mixed reactions, as some regions of the country had traditionally benefitted from the time shift, while others did not see a noticeable impact.
Since then, Brazil has not observed daylight saving time, with debates periodically resurfacing on whether it should be reinstated. This year’s decision signals that, for the time being, the government sees no urgent need to return to the policy.
Conclusion: Power Reserves Ensure No Immediate Change
In summary, Brazil will not reintroduce daylight saving time for the 2024 summer season, thanks to the stability of its power sector. The decision comes after a thorough assessment of the country’s energy reserves, particularly the condition of its hydroelectric reservoirs. While officials plan to review the situation after summer, it is clear that Brazil’s government is prioritizing energy security and sustainability over the potential benefits of adjusting the clocks.
As the nation looks ahead, the debate over daylight saving time may resurface in future years, but for now, Brazilians can rest assured that their power supply remains secure.