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Petrobras Expresses Concern About The Competitiveness Of Gas Plants Compared To Coal In The Capacity Reserve Auction Scheduled For 2026. State Company Advocates New Transportation Tariff And Seeks To Expand Its Role In Biogas.
The Petrobras has once again drawn attention to the obstacles faced by natural gas thermoelectric plants under the new Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP) model, according to an interview given to Eixos this Friday, 12/09. The main concern of the state company is direct competition with coal plants, which have now been included by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in the competition scheduled for March 2026.
According to Petrobras’ Director of Energy Transition, Angelica Laureano, the requirement for long-term contracts with gas transporters may reduce the competitiveness of thermoelectric plants. “One thing that surprised us a bit was the issue of coal alongside thermoelectric plants in the grid. After all, there is imported coal competing with national thermoelectric plants,” she stated.
Petrobras Proposal: Binomial Tariff For Gas Transportation
To address this impasse, the company will suggest in the public consultation regarding the auction rules the implementation of a binomial tariff. This model includes a smaller fixed portion and a higher variable portion only when the plants are dispatched.
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In the state company’s assessment, this measure would be fundamental to provide more predictability and balance to gas projects, especially in light of the pressure from coal in the auction.
Petrobras has already defined its participation plan in the LRCAP. The state company is expected to contribute 3.4 gigawatts (GW) in gas thermoelectric plants. Most of this corresponds to plants that are already in operation and nearing the end of their contracts. The only new project is the thermoelectric plant at the Boaventura Energy Complex in Itaboraí (RJ), the former Comperj.
It’s worth noting that the auction was originally scheduled for June 2025. However, it was suspended following legal inquiries about the initial rules. The reformulation presented by the MME in August included the division into two auctions and opened space for coal projects, a measure that has sparked criticism from the electrical sector and environmentalists.
Biogas: Petrobras’ New Bet On The Gas Market
In addition to focusing on thermoelectric plants, Petrobras is also expanding its role in the biogas segment. According to Angelica Laureano, the company is evaluating partnerships with ethanol plants and even projects in landfills. The strategy aims to comply with the Future Fuel Law, which provides for the mixing of biogas with natural gas starting in 2026.
However, the executive argues that the rule should not come into effect as early as January of next year. For her, a transition period would be necessary: “Starting in June, July, that would be more comfortable,” she explained.
So far, Petrobras has received 90 supply proposals involving both the molecule and biogas certificates. The negotiation stage is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, which, according to the state company, will allow meeting the initial requirement of a 1% addition of biogas to natural gas.
Another point of concern for the state company is the potential import of gas from Argentina, a move that could increase supply in Brazil and lower generation costs. In addition, the company is monitoring discussions about revising transportation tariffs, considered strategic to enable new infrastructure investments and maintain the competitiveness of gas against other sources.
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