Danger, Danger: El Niño targets Central and South America, 2019-2020

With the start of the new year, comes the hope of many longed-for realities. But for the people and businesses of Central and South America this year, El Niño is expected to strike a dark and stormy blow.

Trouble on the horizon in 2019 & 2020.
Specifically, scientists predict a 90 percent chance El Niño will leave a trail of destruction in the first quarter and a 60 percent chance it will persist through the first two quarters. Regardless of the exact timing, the intensity and frequency of atmospheric responses from El Niño or La Niña in these regions over the next two years will be severe.

These grave predictions are statistically calculated from decades of carefully studied patterns. Scientists know as the warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific coincides with weaker than average east winds, a dangerous mix of weather reactions occurs. Ultimately, perilous weather patterns from El Niño are likely to bring dangerous conditions to both human and agricultural life. The anticipated atmospheric, geographic and oceanic reactions are all serious.

How will El Niño impact my bottom line?
Low rainfall may starve crops and reduce hydro power reservoirs. Severe wind may dramatically impact corals, rivers, and farms while increased land temperatures may continue to feed perilous weather cycles. In countries such as Columbia, the toll from El Niño’s impact through low rainfall is predicted to stress banana crops. Historically, meteorologists note El Niño is responsible for a 32 percent decline in rainfall during December and a 35 percent decline in January, February and March. This threatens 70% of Colombia’s power generation mix, approximately 11GW of hydro power plants. In addition, with climate change also on the rise, the intensity and frequency of atmospheric responses will also increase.

These expected and tangible blows from the natural world may likewise be translated to the macroeconomy of the affected countries. The impact of El Niño may constrain the supply of rain-driven agricultural commodities, reduce agricultural output, construction, and services activities; as well as create food-price and generalized inflation or trigger social unrest in commodity-dependent poor countries that primarily rely on imported food.

Can power grids prepare in time for El Niño’s impact?
With warmer and drier weather near, sheer winds and fierce currents probable, one undeniable takeaway is clear and definitive: prepare well. Central and South America’s power grids are in transition; moving away from a hydrocarbon dependent grid to one whose future solely powered by renewable technologies. Until this shift is complete, how can renewable dependent grids cope with sudden and drastic changes in climate?
Minimize the impact of El Niño with energy solutions that offer maximum benefits and flexibility. APR Energy offers both affordable and reliable power across all phases: installation, operation and maintenance.

APR Energy will help you overcome El Niño
Interruptions will be minimized. Challenges will be untangled. Key alliances with technology providers will serve as your own. At APR Energy, state-of-the-art power options like our fast-track energy solutions offer reliable and consistent support in emergency situations, minimizing grid instability and historical power outages.

You’ll find our services provide security of supply amid increased demand, in the face of intermittent supply. Our technology bridges a temporary gap while also meeting emissions requirements.

Our scalable, turnkey power is flexible, allowing for use to be dictated by the power you need, for as long as it’s needed. It’s comforting to know, while the weather forecasts may be severe, the solutions to mitigate them are even more powerful and prepared.

If you’d like to discuss your own fast-track energy solutions, contact us online or call: 1(904) 223-2278.