Power rationing and the prospect of California-style rolling blackouts here in the coming months have boosted Brazil’s interest in alternative energy and may lead to lasting power-conservation measures. Beginning this month, Brazilians have had to cut their power consumption by 20% compared to last year, while businesses must reduce theirs by up to 25%. Officials say the rationing is needed because scant rainfall has left record-low water levels in the reservoirs of hydropower plants, which produce more than 90% of the country’s electricity. The measures, which could last until November, have not gone down well with the public. Brazilians blame the government for failing to invest more in other energy sources despite warnings from academics and power companies that electricity supplies would... [Log in to read more]