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Santa Catarina Advances in Renewable Energy Expansion With the Energia Boa Program, Which Unlocks Private Investment, Accelerates Hydropower Projects, and Increases the State’s Electrical Capacity by 144MW
The Government of Santa Catarina is advancing the strengthening of its energy matrix by expanding the reach of the Energia Boa Program, which currently includes 21 hydropower plants under construction in various regions of the state. The projects, driven by approximately R$ 3 billion in private investment, are expected to add 144 MW of power to the electrical system of Santa Catarina, ensuring renewable energy capable of supplying more than 200 thousand consumer units. The Energia Boa Program is transforming the energy sector in Santa Catarina, according to Governor Jorginho Mello.
Advancement of Hydropower Plants in Santa Catarina and Expansion of 144MW
The Energia Boa Program was launched in 2024 with the aim of unlocking processes, accelerating licenses, and stimulating investment in the electrical sector of Santa Catarina. Since its creation, the program has become a strategic mechanism to enable hydropower plants, substations, and transmission lines necessary to sustain the state’s economic growth. Furthermore, the initiative strengthens renewable energy generation, optimizes infrastructure, and boosts direct and indirect jobs.
The 21 hydropower plants currently under construction represent one of the largest energy project packages ever recorded in Santa Catarina. Distributed across the Planalto Norte, Planalto Serrano, Meio-Oeste, and Oeste regions, they reinforce the state strategy to expand the supply of renewable energy while reducing historical infrastructure bottlenecks.
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These hydropower plants, including PCHs and CGHs, are expected to add 144 MW to the system. The increase in installed capacity consolidates the state as a hub for hydropower generation, strengthening supply security and reducing risks of fluctuations in delivery. Governor Jorginho Mello emphasizes that Santa Catarina is in a hurry, just like the government, noting that the Energia Boa Program has accelerated analyses that used to take years.
Energia Boa and the Direct Impact on Private Investment
The business environment created by the Energia Boa Program has directly contributed to the advancement of projects. Since 2024, 178 projects have been registered, with approximately 70 already receiving technical and institutional support. Among them, most involve hydropower generation, although there are proposals for solar, wind, and biomass energy.
According to Secretary Silvio Dreveck, the Energia Boa Program has created real conditions to facilitate processes and unlock investments that were idle. The results of this structure became evident in the latest new energy auction held by Aneel: Santa Catarina ranked first in the country, representing 40% of the qualified projects.
These numbers reveal market confidence in the program and illustrate how regulatory and technical support has stimulated large volumes of investment in the sector. For the state, this represents a strategic advancement that strengthens the electrical sector and increases Santa Catarina’s participation in the national matrix.
Completed Works and Immediate Expansion of Energy Capacity With Hydropower Plants
In addition to the ongoing projects, four hydropower plants registered in the program have already been completed in 2025: PCH Rodeio (Benedito Novo), PCH Boa Vista (Lages), CGH Hopen (Lages), and CGH Treze Tílias (Treze Tílias). Together, they added 18.2 MW to the electrical system of Santa Catarina.
These results reinforce that the Energia Boa Program not only plans but also delivers completed works, effectively contributing to regional energy balance. The completions demonstrate that the model of integration among environmental agencies, oversight, and land management has ensured project fluidity.
Complementary Infrastructure and New Public Investments
The Energia Boa Program also includes essential public works. The Government of Santa Catarina announced R$ 572 million allocated for the construction of six substations and over 200 km of transmission lines in the Planalto Serrano. These projects are the responsibility of Celesc.
With this, the state ensures that the new hydropower plants have the capacity to connect to the national electrical grid, avoiding overload and increasing the overall system efficiency. This modernization is essential to sustain current and future investment cycles, especially in regions with high energy potential.
Investment Projections and Job Creation in the Sector
Official estimates indicate that the Energia Boa Program is expected to enable more than R$ 3 billion in private investment. An example of this movement is the PCH Campo Belo, under construction in Campo Belo do Sul.
In addition to the financial volume, the expectation is that around 19 thousand jobs will be generated from the projects underway and those planned for the coming years. These jobs drive the local economy, strengthen small municipalities, and accelerate regional development.
For Secretary Dreveck, the electric sector benefits, as does the state of Santa Catarina, since the direct and indirect multiplier effects contribute to new growth cycles.
The Role of Hydropower Plants and the Program in Santa Catarina’s Energy Future
The consolidation of the Energia Boa Program as a strategic public policy strengthens Santa Catarina‘s position in the Brazilian energy transition. The state, which already stands out in industrial competitiveness, begins to operate with greater energy security and sustainable expansion projections.
By providing speed, reducing bureaucracy, encouraging investment, and boosting hydropower plants, the program paves the way for a cleaner, modern, and efficient matrix.
With projects advancing rapidly, expanding transmission infrastructure, and increasing attraction of private capital, the Energia Boa Program proves essential for the state’s economic and environmental development.
Strategic Importance for Sustainable Development in Santa Catarina
The set of works, investments, and results achieved so far demonstrates that the Energia Boa Program is reshaping the energy landscape of Santa Catarina. The construction of 21 hydropower plants, combined with over R$ 3 billion in private investment, enhanced infrastructure, and increased installed capacity, consolidates the state as a national reference in renewable energy.
Moreover, the program strengthens energy autonomy, boosts jobs, and promotes sustainable development. Santa Catarina is advancing as a protagonist in clean energy, while simultaneously creating structural conditions to ensure competitiveness, security, and growth in the coming decades.
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