Brazil faces a challenge in the electricity sector due to the overproduction of renewable energy, which has led to considering the strengthening of thermal plants. The remarkable growth of wind and solar generation in the country has exceeded demand at various times, requiring solutions to maintain grid stability.
Challenges of Renewable Energy in Brazil
The extensive development of clean energies has positioned Brazil as a leader in the sector, highlighting wind capacity in the northeast and solar in the interior. By 2023, 80% of its electricity generation came from renewable sources. However, this success has brought operational difficulties for the electrical system.
At times, generation exceeds demand so much that the National Electric System Operator (ONS) has had to disconnect solar and wind farms. For example, during a World Cup match on June 29, consumption was reduced by 21%, forcing the disconnection of 20 GW to avoid overloads.
The economic losses from these disconnections are significant. In 2025, about 4,021 MW of solar and wind energy were unused, equivalent to an estimated loss of 6.5 billion reais, or 1.09 billion euros, according to the consultancy Volt.
The impact on investment is evident, with 992 solar project concessions returned since 2025, representing more than 43 GW of projected capacity and nearly 163.9 billion reais in investment.
Proposed Solutions and the Way Forward
To address these issues, the Brazilian government plans to incorporate battery storage systems and modernize the electrical infrastructure. Future tenders in December are expected to attract significant investments, estimated at 20 billion reais.
Additionally, there are voices within the academic sphere suggesting strengthening thermoelectric plants to ensure the stability of the electricity supply. The Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan indicates that these plants could represent 14% of the energy matrix by 2035.
Brazil must find a balance between continuing to lead in renewable energies and maintaining supply security. Success in this effort will cement the country’s position as a global power in clean energy.
