Neoenergia steps up its use of artificial intelligence to anticipate the effects of El Niño

Neoenergia, Iberdrola Group’s subsidiary in Brazil, is stepping up its use of artificial intelligence to anticipate the risks associated with extreme weather events such as El Niño and minimise their impact on the electricity supply. The company uses medium- and long-term weather forecasts alongside AI models to improve energy planning, optimise the operation of its assets and anticipate potential grid incidents. 

Neoenergia serves over 17 million customers in Brazil – equivalent to around 40 million people – through its five distribution companies: Neoenergia Coelba, in Bahia; Neoenergia Pernambuco; Neoenergia Cosern, in Rio Grande do Norte; Neoenergia Brasilia; and Neoenergia Elektro, which operates in the interior of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. 

In 2026 alone, Neoenergia has allocated around 30 million reais to artificial intelligence (approximately 5 million euros), both for the development of new solutions and for the implementation of platforms incorporating this technology.

Among its applications is the analysis of thermal images and operational variables to detect patterns that enable the anticipation of grid failures and the carrying out of predictive maintenance, thereby reducing potential outages and their impact on customers. 

You can read the full story in the Neoenergia media centre.