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As generation grows, Brazil is faced with an old power grid that could jeopardize the progress of clean energy
Even with the significant growth of sources such as solar and wind, Brazil faces a silent obstacle: the transmission grid. Without modernizing this infrastructure, the country runs the risk of wasting the potential of renewable energy and hindering its energy transition.
The infrastructure challenge on the path to clean energy
The expansion of renewable energy in Brazil does not depend solely on the installation of solar panels or wind turbines. As highlighted by the magazine Examination, the big obstacle is in the network of transmission, which needs to be modernized to deal with the intermittency and decentralization typical of these sources. Many of the lines still follow old standards, designed for a centralized and inflexible system.
This technological gap represents a real problem: even if there is an abundant supply of clean energy, it may not reach consumers if the grid is not prepared to receive and distribute this volume in a dynamic and safe way. This situation calls into question the effectiveness of the energy transition itself.
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Technologies that promise to transform
The way to overcome this obstacle involves adopting the so-called Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), already successfully applied in countries such as Belgium and the United States. These technologies modernize the electrical grid without requiring new lines or major infrastructure works.
Among the main solutions cited by Examination, are the Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), which adjusts the capacity of the lines according to the weather, and the use of high capacity cables, which increase energy transportation with fewer losses. In addition, there is technology HVDC (high voltage direct current), ideal for long distances, and the FACTS systems, which optimize network control. The implementation of Batteries also plays a fundamental role, helping to store energy at the right times.
Brazil begins to advance, but still timidly
In the Brazilian scenario, the first steps are being taken. According to the Examination, ANEEL has already authorized the use of FACTS in São Paulo, and some pilot projects are adopting higher-capacity cables. However, the pace is still slow, and experts warn of the urgency of a robust national strategy aimed at modernizing infrastructure.
The specialized platform Energy Channel It also reinforces the need for coordinated planning, highlighting that investment in transmission must go hand in hand with generation auctions. Otherwise, there will be a structural imbalance between what is produced and what can actually be delivered to the consumer.
Without a modern grid, there is no truly sustainable energy
The message is clear: the future of clean energy in Brazil will not be defined only by the number of plants built, but by the intelligence of the network that connects it all. Modernizing transmission is more than a technical step, it is a strategic decision that involves energy security, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
It is no wonder that the American motto “no transition without transmission” has been gaining ground in global discussions about energy. In Brazil, this phrase fits like a glove: there is no point in multiplying solar and wind farms if the electrical grid cannot keep up. Without modern transmission, the energy transition becomes an empty promise, and the country remains hostage to an infrastructure from the last century to deal with the challenges of the present.
