In 2010, hydropower accounted for 68% (78 GW out of 114 GW) of total installed electric power capacity in Brazil and represented more than 90% of the year’s total electricity generation.

Energy consumption in Brazil increased 7.8%, from 388 TWh in 2009 to 419 TWh in 2010. Industrial consumption led growth, accounting for a 10.6% increase. Residential and commercial consumption growth remained at high levels, reaching 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively.

The Brazilian electricity market in 2010 benefited from favorable economic performance in the internal market driven by employment and income growth, as well as the increase in credit supply. This high industrial consumption growth consolidated the recovery of the sector that had begun in the second half of 2009.

In December 2010, total consumption reached 36,187 GWh (an increase of 4.6% when compared to December 2009), confirming the strength of the power generation fundamentals.