Energy consumption in Brazil rose 3.7 percent in June 2007 compared with the same month last year, the National System Operator (ONS) said Friday.

According to the ONS, an average of 47,764 megawatts were consumed in the country in the period.

The northeastern region had the highest increase, with 6.5 percent, while the Amazon rainforest region had the lowest rate and consumed only 1.6 percent more than in June last year.

In the south, energy consumption grew 2.1 percent, and in the southeast and the mid-west, which together account for 62 percent of Brazil's total consumption, it rose 3.7 percent.

The ONS pointed out that higher temperatures in the southeastern, mid-western and southern regions in the first half of the year contributed to an overall rise in energy consumption, as more power was requested to fulfill the use of air conditioner.

Growth in the industrial sector also caused bigger energy demands, ONS added.

However, growth in June was lower than that of previous months, of 5.39 percent in March, 7.52 percent in April and 5.13 percent in May compared with the same periods last year.

Source: Xinhua