In August 2025, **Brazil [set an energy milestone](https://noticiasambientales.com/energia/el-barco-solar-que-marca-un-antes-y-un-despues-en-los-rios-como-un-hito-en-la-navegacion-con-esta-energia/)**: for the first time, **solar and wind energy** generated **more than 34% of the country’s total electricity**, according to official data analyzed by the experts’ group **Ember**.
With a record monthly production of **19 terawatt-hours (TWh)**, these sources supplied the equivalent of **119 million Brazilian households**, surpassing the previous record of **18.6 TWh** set in September 2024.
## Energy Diversification vs. Hydroelectric Decline
Hydroelectric production—traditionally dominant in Brazil—fell to its **lowest level in four years**, accounting for only **48% of electricity generation**, the second month where it hasn’t exceeded half of the grid.
Despite this decrease, the use of **fossil fuels** remained at **14%**, far below the **26% recorded in August 2021**, thanks to the **rapid growth of renewables**.
“The sun and the wind are a perfect complement to Brazil’s hydroelectric resources,” said **Raul Miranda**, director of Ember’s global program. “A diversified mix is key to facing the risks of climate change.”
## Evolution of the Brazilian Electric Grid
In 2024, solar and wind energy accounted for **24% of national electricity**, more than double that of five years ago. **Solar** went from contributing just **1% in 2019** to **9.6% in 2024**, while **wind** grew from **8.8% to 15%**.
This progress allowed for a **31% reduction in emissions from the electricity sector** since its peak in 2014, despite a **22% increase in demand**.
“These sources are no longer alternatives: they are a structural part of the electric grid,” noted **Ricardo Baitelo** from the Institute of Energy and Environment.
## Brazil and Renewable Leadership in the G20
Baitelo highlighted that Brazil is the **only country in the G20** on track to meet the goal of **tripling the use of renewable energies** within five years, as agreed upon at **COP28 in Dubai**.
However, he warned that the country must **take urgent measures** to maintain this leadership position.
## Subsidies, Distortions, and Regulatory Challenges
The current model favors **expensive thermal energy** and demands structural reforms.
From the business sector, **Paulo Pedrosa**, president of **Abrace Energia**, warned about the **distortions generated by subsidies** for residential solar energy, which have **increased costs** and promoted the contracting of **expensive thermal energy** to balance the system.
He proposed that Brazil **leverages its clean and competitive energy** to **boost the industry** and **strengthen its role in global decarbonization**.
