Brazil’s Renewables: Wind & Solar Power Reach 33% of Electricity
Here’s a summary of the key data from the article:
Record Renewable Energy: In August, wind and solar power combined to generate over 34% of Brazil’s electricity – a record high of 19 terawatt-hours (TWh). This is enough to power approximately 119 million Brazilian homes for a month.
Hydropower Decline: This milestone occurred despite a drop in hydroelectric power generation, wich fell to a four-year low.
Fossil Fuel Stability: Despite the lower hydropower output, fossil fuel use remained low at 14% of generation, avoiding the spikes seen in previous drought years (like 26% in August 2021). This is largely due to the growth of wind and solar.
Rapid Growth of Wind & Solar: Wind and solar have more than doubled their share of Brazil’s electricity generation in the last five years (from 12.6% to 24%). Solar specifically grew from over 1% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2024.
Emissions Reduction: Brazil’s power sector emissions peaked in 2014 and have fallen 31% by 2024, despite a 22% increase in electricity demand. This is attributed to the fifteenfold increase in wind and solar generation.
Diversified Energy Mix: Experts highlight the importance of a diversified energy mix, wiht wind and solar complementing hydropower and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, especially during droughts.
* Shift in Perspective: Renewable sources are no longer considered “choice” but are now a well-represented and important part of Brazil’s electricity mix.