Hydroelectric Plants and Their Main Challenges in the Brazilian Energy Matrix

The Scenario of Hydroelectric Plants in the Brazilian Energy Matrix Has Varied Generation Sources, But It Remains Quite Competitive; How Long Should This Last?

Renewable energy sources have been increasingly taking up space in the Brazilian energy matrix as their generation potential expands alongside hydroelectric plants. Among the clean and renewable alternatives are Small Hydroelectric Plants (PCHs) and Hydroelectric Generating Plants (CGHs).

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Currently, the installed capacity of PCHs in the country reaches 4,958 MW, distributed among 436 plants. In addition, there are another 595 CGHs, adding another 501 MW of power to the system, according to the 2017 Generation Information Bank from Aneel (National Electric Energy Agency).

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According to the Superintendence of the Environment of the Energy Research Company (EPE), large plants continue to be a priority for supplying electric energy in the country, despite the trend toward a decrease in their relative share in the matrix due to the inclusion of new renewable sources.

“In this context, it is expected that PCHs and CGHs will see an increase in their relative share in the Brazilian energy matrix. In absolute terms, the current expectation is that the increase in installed capacity of PCHs and CGHs over the next 10 years will be approximately 2,400 MW, according to the Ten-Year Energy Plan (PDE 2024),” states the EPE superintendence.

Challenges of Hydroelectric Plants in Brazilian Soil

According to the director of WEG Energia, Eduardo de Nobrega, environmental challenges for large hydraulic projects have always been a driving factor for harnessing the potential of PCHs and CGHs.

“We view the prospects for this sector with optimism, as the pricing scenario in recent auctions has been positive and has rekindled investors’ interest. This interest should intensify with the improvement of Brazil’s economic outlook in the medium term.” The executive also highlights the need to expedite the process of obtaining the necessary licenses in the Brazilian energy matrix to implement a PCH or CGH project.

“The recent increase in the capacity of CGHs to 5 MW already indicates a positive signal and should contribute to the realization of some projects that were previously shelved. The Brazilian production chain is mature and ready to meet this market. At WEG, for instance, we can produce and supply the entire electromechanical package for these plants efficiently and competitively,” evaluates Nobrega.