Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced plans to open a public consultation for an auction of capacity reserves focused solely on battery storage, scheduled for 2025.
Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira stated that in addition to this auction, the government also plans to hold a previously planned auction for spare capacity from thermal and hydroelectric sources in 2024. He said the purpose of the battery auction is to promote battery technology in Brazil and attract major manufacturers such as Huawei from China and other countries.
Silveira noted the importance of using batteries to support intermittent energy sources, such as wind and solar, without rushing the process or overburdening consumers. He said the government’s priority is to reduce energy costs and ensure energy security, despite pressure to accelerate projects.
The minister claimed that Brazil has enough contracted energy to meet demand even during severe droughts. He emphasized the activation of thermal power plants to compensate for reduced hydropower generation.
“We have enough contracted energy,” Silveira said, noting that future auctions aim to guarantee energy security for the next six to seven years.
Silveira added that energy demand in Brazil is rising due to climate impacts, indicating that the country’s thermal energy capacity should double by 2031. He also requested a contingency plan to maintain system stability during the summer months.
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