Abstract
Brazil is heavily reliant on water resources. Hydroelectric plants
generate about 64% of all electricity consumed. To increase yield
capacity, a 2050 expansion is also planned. 78% of water used is for
agriculture (irrigation and livestock), 9% for industry, and 9.1% for
urban supply. However, the country has endured the worst droughts in
recorded history over the last two decades, resulting in severe
socioeconomic and environmental impacts. The purpose of this study was
to determine the current state of knowledge regarding hydrological
drought patterns, hydrometeorological factors, and their effects on the
country’s hydroelectric power plants. Droughts have occurred in most of
Brazil’s regions since 2014/15, causing severe impacts in many of the
basins studied. Now that most hydroelectric power plants are operating
at a fraction of their total capacity, the country’s hydroelectric
generation is been impacted.