Data of the Holding – administrative activities*

* Includes the offices in Rio de Janeiro.

Consolidated data of Eletrobras Companies (G&T)

Water

The water used to generate power in Eletrobras hydroplants is all returned to the water bodies, and the quality is equivalent to the captured water. Our thermal plants capture water from surface sources for refrigeration and steam generation, and then returned to the original water body within legal temperature and quality requirements, minimizing the impact on ecosystems and habitats. In the specific case of nuclear plants, seawater is used to cool the secondary system and fully returned to the sea, with only a slight increase in temperature. The quality of the water used in Eletrobras Companies operations is monitored and reported. The results of this analysis are issued according to the permits and demands of the environmental bodies.

In addition to water used to generate energy, Eletrobras also uses water in its administrative activities. For these activities, water for consumption is largely supplied by local water and sewage utilities. Where it is not supplied by the local utility it is captured from surface or groundwater sources.

Data on water intake for administration and operations,excluding the water that flows through our turbines, is added to the IGS System. Values are taken from the utility water bills or from reading hydrometers.

In 2021, a new methodology was implemented to calculate water consumption and disposal. Where there are no hydrometers to measure water used by administration, since 2021 the volume has been estimated using the average number of full-time employees at the facility and 50 liters/day per employee. The amount of water consumed by Eletrobras companies includes water used for thermal power generation and 20% of the water used in administrative activities. The amount of water discharged by Eletrobras companies included the water flowing through the hydro plant turbines, the water returned to rivers and oceans by the thermal power plants, the amount of water used in the fish farming stations and protected areas, and about 80% of the water used in administrative activities.

In 2021 the total volume of water withdrawall was 797,105,159.45 Million m³, including seawater and the surface water withdrawals for use in protected areas and in aquaculture. The total water discharge was 797,087,068.52 Million m³, including seawater. The total water consumed was 18,090.93 Million m³.

The water used to generate energy in hydroelectric plants is not consumed, since it is fully returned to the rivers from which it is withdrawn. In 2021, 793,791,731.49 Million m³ fresh water passes througt the turbines, which represents 99.59% of our water withdrawal.

The total volume of water discharged by our subsidiaries' operations into rivers experiencing critical or very critical water stress was approximately 2,619,418.58 m³ in 2021, as measured using the methodology established by the ANA.

Water withdrawal – administrative activities

Water withdrawal – thermal generation

Energy Consumption 

Waste 

* In 2018, the total waste disposed included waste stored in appropriate places, before final disposal, and also included waste destined for reverse logistics.

Note: The waste figures are not assured by third-party. 

*  In 2018, the total waste disposed included waste stored in appropriate places, before final disposal, and did not include waste destined for reverse logistics. Since 2019, waste includes waste destined for reverse logistics.

Note: The waste figures are not assured by third-party.

Solid waste and effluents are treated by our companies in accordance with current legislation.

Ashes

All the ashes produced by the operation of coal-fired thermal power plants by Eletrobras CGTEE, located in Candiota (RS), are forwarded to the recomposition of mine cave and to the cement industry. In 2021, 1,710,699.67 t of ashes were recycled or reused, in 2020, 763,655.38 t, in 2019, 1,128,735.3 t and in 2018 2,073,421.26 t. In 2020, the thermoelectric plant did not operate for almost five months, so the total amount was significantly lower when compared to other years.

Mercury Emissions

Eletrobras CGTEletrosul carries out annual measurements to verify the concentration of mercury in atmospheric emissions related to the operation of its coal-fired thermoelectric power plant. In 2021, the direct mercury emissions were 0.034 t.

CHECK ALSO​

• ​Solidary Selective Waste Collection ​

• Water Resources ​​