Rio de Janeiro Government Announces R$ 80 Million for New Investments in Solar Energy Projects in the State

The Government of Rio de Janeiro Announced That It Plans to Invest R$ 80 Million in the State’s Solar Energy Sector to Generate Jobs, Incomes, and More Sustainability.

The government of Rio de Janeiro announced this Friday (07) that it will apply R$ 80 million in investments in solar energy projects. The investments aim to position RJ on the path of generating renewable energy, as well as to create new job opportunities, attract companies, and develop more business opportunities. The resources will be held in a fund structured by the State Agency for Development (AgeRio). The decision was made in a meeting of the Secretary of Economic Development, International Relations, and Energy with representatives from the utilities Light, Energisa, Enel, Codin, and AgeRio, as well as industry entrepreneurs and representatives of the Brazilian Solar Energy Association (Absolar). 

Government of Rio de Janeiro Responds to New Solar Energy Investments in the State

For the Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, the state has the potential to become a reference in clean and renewable energy like solar energy. Encouraging energy generation from this source is part of the government’s commitment to the sustainable development of the state, which can become a reference in Brazil’s energy transition to a more diversified and renewable matrix.

In addition to the various environmental benefits, solar energy, being low-cost, generates greater savings for the end consumer. Furthermore, it plays a role in generating employment and income for the people of Rio de Janeiro.

According to the executive president of Absolar, Rodrigo Sauaia, the investments from the government of Rio de Janeiro also foresee a greater insertion of the source in the region, aiming to diversify the electric matrix of the state and also ensure energy supply for the local population.

Solar Energy Attracted R$ 1.9 Billion in Investments for Rio de Janeiro

According to Sauaia, in practice, the goal is to intensify and enhance the development of public projects and programs for the advancement of solar energy in the state. Thus, the social agreement with the government of Rio de Janeiro expands collaboration for environmental, social, and economic development.

According to the president, since 2012, the own generation of solar energy has attracted around R$ 1.9 billion in investments to the state and created over 10,000 jobs, generating more than R$ 451 million for public coffers.

Solar Energy Market in Rio de Janeiro

The use of solar energy in Rio de Janeiro has gained prominence due to the high solar irradiation index, favoring the generation of this type of renewable energy. The drop in the price of photovoltaic solar energy systems in recent years has made their purchase increasingly accessible from a financial standpoint.

Additionally, government incentives for the use of energy in the state have been more explored, as there is the option to finance the purchase and installation of solar energy systems. According to the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) and Absolar, the state ranks 7th in the country in solar energy. Its current installed capacity is 324,221.93 kW, corresponding to 4.17% of Brazil’s energy matrix.

The Rio de Janeiro is already the 4th state in Brazil in terms of the number of installed solar systems. In total, there are more than 33,000 homes using the source in the state, 624 rural properties, 2,592 businesses, 148 industries, 80 installed systems, among others.