en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazil's National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) has suspended the commercial operation of a combined 12.48 MW at Cemig's Paciência Hydropower Plant and Joasal Hydropower Plant, approximately two months after flooding in February 2026 caused critical equipment to be submerged and damaged.
Generating units UG1 through UG3 at the Paciência Hydropower Plant (totaling 4.08 MW) and units UG1 through UG5 at the Joasal Hydropower Plant (totaling 8.4 MW) have been inoperable since February 24, 2026. The hydrological event caused the powerhouse at Paciência to flood, severely damaging critical operating components such as generators, electrical systems, and auxiliary equipment. Cemig noted: "Water entered the plant, reaching an internal level of approximately 1.2 meters. Under these conditions, several electrical and mechanical systems of the plant were partially or completely submerged."
According to Aneel, the company initially reported that the Paciência Hydropower Plant was expected to resume operations by April 30, 2026. However, the company subsequently stated that it was not yet possible to complete the damage diagnosis, a process that can only be carried out after the powerhouse is drained and a detailed inspection of the affected equipment is performed. On March 31, 2026, Aneel issued an official letter giving the company the opportunity to present reasons and arguments to avoid an order suspending the commercial operation of the generating units. In response, Cemig Geração Sul stated that, following a reassessment of the plant's condition, the timeline for resuming operations had been postponed to July 31, 2026.
At the Joasal Hydropower Plant, Cemig reported that the pits of the five generating units were flooded, causing damage to the voltage and current transformers of all measurement and protection systems, as well as other equipment. The company anticipated a return to normal operation by May 31, 2026, but Aneel noted in a technical memorandum that this forecast carries the inherent uncertainties of the recovery process and is insufficient to ensure the maintenance of commercial operation status during the period of unavailability.
Regarding restoration and commissioning, Aneel approved the resumption of commercial operation for generating units UG01 and UG02 (totaling 12.5 MW) at the Salto do Guassupi Small Hydropower Plant, located in the municipality of São Martinho da Serra, Rio Grande do Sul. The plant had been shut down since May 2023 due to the collapse of its headrace tunnel, which prevented water supply for the generation process and caused a loss of pressure for the turbines. Additionally, in the municipality of Campo Redondo, Rio Grande do Norte, Aneel approved the start of test operations for generating unit UG10 (4.5 MW) at the São Rafael 11 Wind Farm.
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