According to the National Energy Balance Summary Report, last year’s solar production increased by 39.6 percent compared to 2023, and installed capacity increased by 28.1 percent, reaching 48,468 MW. In wind power, the increase was 12.4% and, in installed capacity, 3%, to 29,550 MW. Together, according to the Energy Research Company (EPE), the two sources already account for 24% of total energy production. Diversification is necessary to ensure continuous supply and avoid power cuts, especially in a climate change scenario with extreme droughts, affecting the levels of hydroelectric reservoirs (responsible for 56% of production). The initiative to organize the first battery auction sends a positive signal to attract more investments in new sources.
According to the legislation that regulates the electricity sector, the cost of energy storage will not be passed on to the consumer, but will be shared between generators, excluding types that do not depend on batteries, thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants. Even with the cost, the opportunities that open up for solar and wind generators are immense. Remember that the gigantic data centers used by artificial intelligence systems will depend on immense environmentally sustainable production capacity, which Brazil can offer if it has a robust battery bank.
Some critics say a tender for thermal and hydropower plants planned before the battery auction could harm it by increasing capacity to meet demand, reducing the need for the storage system. But batteries can guarantee a new level of competitiveness for solar and wind production. There are already large battery farms installed in the United States and Europe, connected to transmission networks. Brazil cannot be left behind.
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