THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FAIR ENERGY TRANSITION IN BRAZIL.pdf

Faga1939 8 views 6 slides Oct 21, 2025
Slide 1
Slide 1 of 6
Slide 1
1
Slide 2
2
Slide 3
3
Slide 4
4
Slide 5
5
Slide 6
6

About This Presentation

This article aims to propose to the Brazilian government the requirements for a just energy transition in Brazil, adopting a strategic process that seeks to transform the Brazilian energy matrix, which is still heavily based on fossil fuels, into one based on clean and renewable energy. A just energ...


Slide Content

1

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FAIR ENERGY TRANSITION IN BRAZIL
Fernando Alcoforado*
This article aims to propose to the Brazilian government the requirements for fair energy
transition in Brazil adopting a strategic process that seeks to transform the Brazilian
energy matrix, still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, into one based on clean and renewable
energy. This is one of the main topics to be addressed at COP 30 (30th United Nations
Climate Change Conference) to be held in Belém do Pará, Brazil in November 2025. A
fair energy transition must promote the decarbonization of the economy, ensuring
economic and social benefits for the Brazilian population. A fair energy transition would
require the creation of a National Fair Energy Transition Plan, with goals, a timeline, and
social participation, the prioritization of clean and renewable energy and energy
efficiency, the establishment of a fund to finance the fair energy transition, and technical
and technological education focused on the green economy.
It is well established that, to avoid the catastrophic future that looms for humanity
resulting from global warming, it is imperative, among other measures, to reduce global
greenhouse gas emissions by replacing the current global energy matrix, based primarily
on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and nuclear energy, with a global energy matrix
structured around renewable energy resources (hydroelectricity, biomass, solar energy,
wind energy, and hydrogen) to prevent or minimize global warming and, consequently,
the occurrence of catastrophic changes in the Earth's climate [1].
In Brazil, the Ministry of Mines and Energy developed the National Energy Plan 2050
(PNE 2050), published on December 16, 2020, containing a set of studies, guidelines, and
long-term strategies for the Brazilian energy sector. It does not propose a progressive
reduction in the production of oil and its derivatives and natural gas. On the contrary, it
considers expanding the supply of petroleum derivatives and expanding the infrastructure
for moving these products to meet growing domestic demand, compromising the fight
against global climate change [2]. Regrettably, IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of
Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) recently authorized Petrobras to search
for oil at the mouth of the Amazon River with a view to its future exploration in flagrant
disobedience of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 15).
Considering that the Brazilian energy matrix comprises 52% non-renewable energy
sources (oil and derivatives, natural gas, coal, nuclear, and other non-renewables) and
48% renewable energy sources (sugarcane derivatives, hydroelectric power, firewood and
charcoal, wind and solar power, and other renewables), the National Energy Plan (PNE
2050) should be revised to progressively reduce the share of non-renewable energy
sources, especially oil, coal, and nuclear power [3].
It is important to note that the federal government established the National Energy
Transition Policy (PNTE), approved by the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) in
2024, to coordinate various government policies (climate, energy, ecological
transformation, etc.). The central idea is to promote a transition of the Brazilian energy
matrix to cleaner sources, with low carbon emissions. To this end, the PLANTE (National
Energy Transition Plan) was developed with a long-term strategy, including actions,
goals, deadlines, and investment estimates of approximately R$2 trillion over 10 years in
the green economy.
To advance the National Energy Transition Policy (PNTE), the Fonte (National Energy
Transition Forum) was established, providing a forum for dialogue between the

2

government, the productive sector, and civil society to discuss costs, benefits, regional
impact, and democratic participation.
It would be important for the fair energy transition adopted in Brazil to consider the
following as its pillars of support in its planning:
1. Participatory planning – with the involvement of of representatives of the federal
government, energy producers and consumers, environmental agencies, state
governments, municipalities, universities, and civil society organizations.
2. Developing professional retraining – implementing programs to train workers in
green sectors (solar energy, wind energy, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, biogas,
electric mobility, etc.).
3. Implementing sustainable public and private investments – providing financing and tax
incentives for energy innovation, clean and renewable energy production, and energy
efficiency.
4. Democratizing energy use – supporting large-scale distributed generation and the
implementation of energy cooperatives.
5. Implementing social and territorial protection – adopting policies to mitigate
impacts in regions currently dependent on fossil fuels that will be affected by their
replacement with clean and renewable energy.
6. Promoting climate fairice – prioritizing the use of clean and renewable energy in
communities most affected by climate change and energy poverty.
In the process of developing a fair energy transition plan, it is important to have the
following requirements:
1. Conduct a diagnosis of Brazil's energy system to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
2. Formulate compatible strategic action policies to reinforce strengths and eliminate
weaknesses.
3. Establish governance and plan implementation mechanisms.
An example of a diagnosis of Brazil's energy system to identify its strengths and
weaknesses, formulate compatible strategic action policies to reinforce strengths and
eliminate weaknesses, and establish governance and implementation mechanisms for the
plan is presented below:
1. Diagnosis of the Current Situation of Brazil's Energy System (Strengths and
Weaknesses)
1.1- Strengths (Advantages and Opportunities)
• Electricity Matrix Already Mostly Renewable: With over 80% renewable energy
sources, primarily hydroelectric, Brazil is in an advantageous position.
• Exceptional Solar and Wind Potential: High potential, especially in the Northeast
(wind) and throughout the country (solar), with offshore wind energy as a promising
initiative.
• Biomass and Biofuel Production: Ethanol and biodiesel are important national assets,
with cutting-edge technology.

3

• Large Territory and Biodiversity: Brazil allows for the installation of various types
of plants and the development of a bioeconomy.
• Experience with Energy Auctions: Energy auctions are a successful mechanism for
attracting investment.
1.2- Weaknesses (Threats and Challenges)
• Dependence on Fossil Fuel-Based Thermal Power Plants: Thermal power plants
activated during periods of drought, which compromise the operation of hydroelectric
plants, are expensive and polluting.
• Regional Concentration of Opportunities: Jobs and investments in renewable energy
are still concentrated in some regions of Brazil.
• Existence of Vulnerable Populations: Millions of people still live in "energy poverty"
without adequate access to electricity or using firewood unsustainably.
• Economic Sectors Difficult to Decarbonize: Brazil uses heavy transportation (trucks,
aviation) and has a steel and cement industry that are difficult to decarbonize.
• Dependence on Oil Revenue Regions: Brazil's oil-producing municipalities and states
(such as Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo) are economically dependent on the sector.
• Outdated Energy Transmission Infrastructure: There is a need to expand
transmission lines to transport energy from new wind and solar farms.
2. Strategic Action Policies for Brazil's Energy System
Policy 1: Increase Production and Consumption of Renewable Energy
Goal: Make Brazil a global powerhouse in solar energy, wind (onshore and
offshore), biomass, and green hydrogen
Strategies:
• Conduct specific auctions: Create regional auctions to diversify generation and
decentralize investments.
• Develop Popular Distributed Generation Programs: Expand programs such as "Light
for All" to include micro and mini-generation of solar energy for low-income homes,
community associations, and small farmers.
• Develop a Green Hydrogen Chain: Encourage the production of green hydrogen,
especially in the Northeast, for domestic consumption and export, as well as decarbonize
the transportation sector and national industry.
Policy 2: Fair Energy Transition for Workers and Oil-Dependent Regions
Goal: Increase the level of employment and professional reskilling of workers and
promote development on new bases in oil-dependent regions
Strategies:
• Develop a National Professional Reskilling Plan: Create, in partnership with SENAI,
Federal Institutes, and Universities, training courses for workers in the oil and gas sector
in areas such as wind farm operation, solar panel installation, smart grid maintenance,
and hydrogen production.

4

• Establish Fair Energy Transition Funds: Establish funds to finance economic
diversification projects in oil-dependent cities.
• Offer a Salary Allowance for Workers: Guarantee income and training during the
career transition period for workers producing non-renewable energy to renewable
energy.
Policy 3: Energy Inclusion and Poverty Alleviation
Goal: Eradicate energy poverty and ensure access to clean, low-cost energy for all
Strategies:
• Establish an Expanded Social Tariff: Review and expand the social electricity tariff,
possibly cross-referencing data with the CadÚnico database.
• Develop a "Biogas for All" Program: Bring biodigester technology to small rural
properties and isolated communities, transforming waste into energy and biofertilizer.
• Promote the Electrification of Isolated Communities: Prioritize off-grid solar
systems with battery storage for riverside, Indigenous, and quilombola communities.
Policy 4: Modernization and Digitalization of the Electrical System
Goal: Create a resilient smart grid
Strategies:
• Invest in Electricity Transmission: Accelerate the expansion of transmission lines to
connect new renewable generation centers.
• Promote Large-Scale Energy Storage: Encourage the installation of batteries in
substations and near wind/solar farms to ensure stability.
• Implement Smart Grids: Implement smart grids that enable efficient demand
management, microgrids, and the integration of electric vehicles (V2G - Vehicle-to-
Grid).
Policy 5: Decarbonization of Hard-to-Change Sectors
Goal: Drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation and industry
Strategies:
• Increase Electric Public Transportation: Offer massive incentives for the
electrification of urban buses and trains.
• Develop Sustainable Fuels: Foster the development and use of advanced biofuels (from
waste) and green hydrogen for trucks, ships, and aircraft.
• Promote Green Industry: Create a robust carbon credit market and tax incentives for
the adoption of low-carbon technologies in the steel and cement industries.
3. Governance and Implementation Mechanisms
• National Fair Transition Committee: An interministerial body (Civil House of the
federal government and Ministries of Mines and Energy, Environment, Labor and
Science and Technology) with civil society participation, to coordinate and monitor the
National Fair Energy Transition Plan.

5

• Legal Framework: Create a Fair Energy Transition Law to establish long-term goals,
instruments, and financing sources, providing legal certainty to investors.
• Financing: 1) Green BNDES: Redirect credit lines to fair energy transition projects; 2)
Green Bonds: Issue sovereign bonds and encourage corporate bonds to raise funds; and
3) Sovereign Energy Transition Fund: Use part of the oil royalties to finance the
National Energy Transition Plan, creating a bridge between the current model and the
future.
4. Conclusion
Brazil should plan for a fair energy transition based on the example presented of
diagnosing Brazil's energy system to identify its strengths and weaknesses, formulating
compatible strategic action policies to reinforce strengths and eliminate weaknesses, and
establishing governance and mechanisms to implement the plan. Brazil has a historic
opportunity to not only make a fair energy transition, but to lead a global model of a Fair
Energy Transition. The success of the fair energy transition will depend on the ability to
transform complex political, economic, and social challenges into opportunities for
inclusive and sustainable development. Planning for the fair energy transition must be
treated as a State Policy, not a government policy, requiring social agreement and a long-
term vision so that Brazil can truly build an energy system that is clean, low-cost, reliable,
and, above all, fair to all the Brazilian people..
REFERENCES
1. ALCOFORADO, Fernando. The future of energy required for the world. Available
on the website <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-energy-required-world-
fernando-a-g-alcoforado-kcjrf/>, 2022.
2. MINISTÉRIO DAS MINAS E ENERGIA. PNE 2050- Plano Nacional de Energia.
Available on the website <https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-
abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-227/topico-
563/Relatorio%20Final%20do%20PNE%202050.pdf>, 2020.
3. ALCOFORADO, Fernando. The future of energy required for Brazil. Available on
the website <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-energy-required-brazil-fernando-a-
g-alcoforado-hmtwf/>, 2023.

Fernando Alcoforado, awarded the medal of Engineering Merit of the CONFEA / CREA System, member
of the SBPC- Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science and IPB- Polytechnic Institute of Bahia, engineer
from the UFBA Polytechnic School and doctor in Territorial Planning and Regional Development from the
University of Barcelona, college professor (Engineering, Economics and Administration) and consultant
in the areas of strategic planning, business planning, regional planning, urban planning and energy systems,
was Advisor to the Vice President of Engineering and Technology at LIGHT S.A. Electric power
distribution company from Rio de Janeiro, Strategic Planning Coordinator of CEPED- Bahia Research and
Development Center, Undersecretary of Energy of the State of Bahia, Secretary of Planning of Salvador, is
the author of the books Globalização (Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 1997), De Collor a FHC- O Brasil e a
Nova (Des)ordem Mundial (Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 1998), Um Projeto para o Brasil (Editora Nobel,
São Paulo, 2000), Os condicionantes do desenvolvimento do Estado da Bahia (Doctoral thesis. Barcelona
University, http://www.tesisenred.net/handle/10803/1944, 2003), Globalização e Desenvolvimento
(Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 2006), Bahia- Desenvolvimento do Século XVI ao Século XX e Objetivos
Estratégicos na Era Contemporânea (EGBA, Salvador, 2008), The Necessary Conditions of the Economic
and Social Development- The Case of the State of Bahia (VDM Verlag Dr. Müller Aktiengesellschaft &
Co. KG, Saarbrücken, Germany, 2010), Aquecimento Global e Catástrofe Planetária (Viena- Editora e

6

Gráfica, Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, 2010), Amazônia Sustentável- Para o progresso do Brasil e
combate ao aquecimento global (Viena- Editora e Gráfica, Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, 2011), Os
Fatores Condicionantes do Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2012), Energia
no Mundo e no Brasil- Energia e Mudança Climática Catastrófica no Século XXI (Editora CRV, Curitiba,
2015), As Grandes Revoluções Científicas, Econômicas e Sociais que Mudaram o Mundo (Editora CRV,
Curitiba, 2016), A Invenção de um novo Brasil (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2017), Esquerda x Direita e a sua
convergência (Associação Baiana de Imprensa, Salvador, 2018), Como inventar o futuro para mudar o
mundo (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2019), A humanidade ameaçada e as estratégias para sua sobrevivência
(Editora Dialética, São Paulo, 2021), A escalada da ciência e da tecnologia e sua contribuição ao progresso
e à sobrevivência da humanidade (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2022), a chapter in the book Flood Handbook
(CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida United States, 2022), How to protect human beings from threats to their
existence and avoid the extinction of humanity (Generis Publishing, Europe, Republic of Moldova,
Chișinău, 2023), A revolução da educação necessária ao Brasil na era contemporânea (Editora CRV,
Curitiba, 2023), Como construir um mundo de paz, progresso e felicidade para toda a humanidade (Editora
CRV, Curitiba, 2024) and How to build a world of peace, progress and happiness for all humanity (Editora
CRV, Curitiba, 2024).
Tags