Brazil powered up for 2014
2013-01-23 16:34
Braslia -The Brazilian government on Tuesday ruled out
risks of power shortages during the Soccer World Cup 2014 despite delay in
electricity generation projects in 10 host cities.
"The delays in the [power] generation projects do
not pose any risk of energy shortages during the Cup," said a statement
from the national electrical energy regulator Aneel.
The daily Folha de Sao Paulo published a technical report
from Aneel on Tuesday warning of delays in energy generation projects in 10 of
the World Cup's 12 host cities.
Under the headline "For Aneel, there is a risk of
power cuts during the Cup," the paper said that only the northeastern
cities of Fortaleza and Recife could currently guarantee adequate energy
supply.
Questioned by AFP, Aneel said the report carried by Folha
focused on an assessment done in the third quarter of 2012 and no longer up to
date.
"It is inaccurate to speak of a risk of energy
shortage during the tournament," it noted.
Energy officials said they were confident the projects
could be completed on short notice.
Meanwhile, Sport Minister Aldo Rebelo vowed that the
government, Aneel and the companies concerned "are working hard to reduce
not just this risk" but all those relating to the organisation of the
World Cup, the first to be held in Brazil since 1950.
