Brazil lends neighboring Uruguay hydroelectric power for Southern Hemisphere winter

The Associated Press
Published: July 18, 2008

BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil is vowing to supply Uruguay with hydroelectric power throughout the winter when demand for energy to heat and light homes there climbs.
Brazil's Mining and Energy Ministry said in a statement Friday that Brazil will send up to 72 megawatts of free electricity a day starting this weekend. The initiative will last through July and August, the peak of the Southern Hemisphere winter.
Uruguay will return an equal amount of energy when winter demand eases.
Brazil also says it is negotiating to build a 350 megawatt, coal-fueled thermoelectric plant in its southern Rio Grande do Sul state in cooperation with Uruguay.
Brazil has been supplying Uruguay with coal-based power for the past four winters.