The Chamber of Deputies approved this Thursday (3) PDL 271/2021 (Draft Legislative Decree No. 271/21) which includes Brazil's entry into the ASI (International Solar Alliance) agreement, signed in New Delhi, India, in 2016. The proposal now goes to Senators for consideration and voting.
The agreement aims to carry out coordinated actions to finance technologies and research in the field of solar energy, cooperation with international organizations, public and private entities and countries that are not of the ISA and the sharing of information on needs, objectives, measures and initiatives domestic.
The text also establishes that the ISA's budget and financing will be provided through voluntary contributions from member countries, partners, international organizations and the private sector.
In total, the agreement involves 121 countries. “Brazil, with all the potential for solar energy, is still in 16th place in the international ranking”, highlighted deputy Erika Kokay (PT-DF).
A ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy) hopes that the processing in the Senate will occur quickly, in order to include the country more directly in the debate for the development of solar energy in the world.
for the CEO of ABSOLAR, Rodrigo Sauaia, Brazil's accession to the ASI will open the doors for the country to benefit from multilateral programs and actions in the areas of financing, incentive programs, public policies, regulation, business models, technology and research and development, among others.
“Brazil has one of the best solar resources on the planet, but is behind other countries in the use of photovoltaic solar energy. We closed 2021 in 14th position in the world solar energy ranking, far below our immense potential. In other renewable sources, Brazil is world leader: we are in 2nd place in water sources, 2nd place in biomass and 8th place in wind. We need to make up for lost time and our full participation in ASI will help us incorporate the best international practices, accelerate the development of photovoltaic solar sources in our country and position ourselves as a relevant actor in this sector, which is increasingly strategic on the world stage”, highlighted Sauaia.
For Ronaldo Koloszuk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ABSOLAR, solar energy plays an essential role in the transition to a low-carbon future and in promoting energy security in the world. “Solar energy is already the most competitive source in the country, but Brazil is still ten years behind other developed countries in the use of solar photovoltaic technology. Our participation in ASI will help us incorporate international best practices, accelerate the development of solar photovoltaic energy and position ourselves as a major player in this sector, which is increasingly strategic on the global stage,” emphasized Koloszuk.
Investments
India, the ASI's host country, will be responsible for initial funding for the organization. According to deputy Marcel Van Hattem (Novo-RS), the agreement does not imply financial obligations to Brazil. “Further contributions will be voluntary. It is a discussion forum to discuss photovoltaic energy, whose importance is increasing. We need to establish photovoltaic energy in the freest and least expensive way possible for those who earn less,” he argued.
