Eletrobras May Increase Its Investment Capacity to Up to R$ 15 Billion Per Year, Says Wilson Ferreira, New CEO of the Company and Former President of Vibra Energia

After Leading Vibra Last Year, Ferreira Takes Over Presidency of Eletrobras and Believes the Company Can Become One of the Largest Renewable Energy Companies in the World

Last Friday (the 5th), the new CEO Wilson Ferreira Júnior was elected to the presidency of Eletrobras. Wilson had previously led the company between 2016 and 2021, when it was still a state-owned electric company, and now he claims that Eletrobras has the potential to become one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world.

In an interview with Valor, Ferreira also mentioned that one of his biggest challenges will be to demonstrate that the privatization of the largest generation and transmission company in the country was a sound measure, capable of generating value for shareholders and all stakeholders.

New CEO Believes It Is Possible for Eletrobras to Triple Its Annual Investments

Furthermore, the executive also emphasized, in an interview with Reuters, that the newly privatized Eletrobras will be in a position to increase its investment capacity to up to R$ 15 billion per year. He was one of the architects of the company’s capitalization process, which, after many discussions, was completed in June this year, in a transaction involving over R$ 30 billion.

Thus, Eletrobras was transformed into a corporation with multiple investors. The annual investment capacity mentioned by Wilson corresponds to three times the amount invested last year, being associated with the new profile of investors, the company’s commitments, and also the relatively low leverage of the former state-owned company.

Transition of Command from Vibra Still Needs to Be Completed Before Ferreira Assumes Presidency of Eletrobras on September 20

The executive will take office on September 20. However, it is necessary to complete the transition of command from Vibra (formerly Petrobras Distribuidora), which Wilson took over last year. In light of this scenario, the fuel distributor has already hired a headhunting firm to choose its next president, and regarding this matter, Ferreira expressed his desire for it to be an individual capable of continuing the work he led.

Wilson Led Radical Change in Profile of Vibra Energia, Making It the Largest in Its Operating Segments Thanks to the Creation of the Multi-Energy Platform

Leading Vibra Energia since February 2021, the executive was responsible for a series of changes in the company’s profile, thanks to the creation of the multi-energy platform, which, with the announcement of an operation related to liquefied natural gas (LNG), will become complete in the coming days.

This platform was formed from the acquisition of companies, which made Vibra the largest in its operating segments. The plan was for it to become a company active not only in fuel distribution, which was achieved through the purchase of companies and the formation of joint ventures in the sectors of ethanol, electricity commercialization, convenience services for customers, biogas, among others. Thus, Vibra’s profile was quickly altered.

On the other hand, Wilson Ferreira explained that the decision to reassume Eletrobras was made due to the existing opportunity within the company to advance in innovation and digitalization. After ten years, Eletrobras participated, through its subsidiary Eletronorte, in the energy transmission auction held by Aneel on June 30, where it successfully bid for lot 8 in Rondônia.