With the aim of reducing dependence on diesel oil in the electricity matrix of the North region and promoting energy decarbonization, the MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy) launched the Amazon Energy program on Friday (4).
According to minister Alexandre Silveira, the initiative aims to replace electrical energy generation based on diesel oil with renewable sources, such as solar energy.
The announcement was made during the inauguration ceremony of the Tucuruí Line and the relaunch of the Luz para Todos program, in Parintins (AM), with the presence of the President of the Republic, senators, deputies, mayors and other authorities.
The program's goal is to reduce the use of diesel oil in the region's electricity matrix by 70% by 2030. Initially, the MME had predicted a 40% reduction by 2026. Around R$5 billion will be invested in the energy transition program of the Amazon.
Read also: Government wants to replace diesel oil with solar energy in the Amazon
Electricity generation in the North of Brazil represents an annual cost of R$12 billion, which is ed by the CCC (Fuel Consumption ) and paid by electricity consumers across the country.
Generation costs in this area are higher due to the logistics of transporting fuel. To prevent energy costs from being too high for the local population, generation costs are shared among all consumers in the country.
Despite the high value, consumption from isolated systems represents only 0,6% of national consumption, and the population of these locations represents only 1,4% of the total Brazilian population.
According to the CCEE (Electric Energy Trading Chamber), the state of Amazonas is responsible for 75% of the CCC's annual budget, while Roraima contributes 11% and Pará 6%. The remainder is divided between Rondônia, Acre and Amapá.
In total, 211 communities outside the National Interconnected System are supplied by generators powered by fossil fuels. In the Legal Amazon, around 3 million people are served by these isolated systems, the majority of them being residential consumers, according to data from EPE (Energy Research Company).
An answer
Solar energy would be a solution, but we cannot forget the large initial investment, as well as maintaining the operation and maintenance of this equipment since it will be dispersed throughout the locations and this will result in a maintenance center for several locations with trained personnel. The most difficult part is moving to respond to any emergency. The time cannot be the same as in the interconnected system as currently determined by the ANEEL. This type of solution has already been considered by several governments, including the previous ones of Lula and Dilma.
Another issue that needs to be considered is whether this generation will be individual or provided by distributors. These cannot absorb the cost of investment, operation and maintenance, as current rates do not cover this cost.