Brazil: taking a global lead

Brazil is committed to being a firm leader in the global energy transition. Indeed, we are seen as a benchmark for a country that is moving towards decarbonisation without giving up development, as confirmed by the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index and the review of national energy policies conducted by the International Energy Agency.

We have created this by being consistent in the formulation and implementation of public policies and - anchored in long-term planning instruments, regulatory solidity and alignment between the energy, economic and environmental dimensions - by creating a stable and attractive environment for investment, including in new technologies. This guarantees that Brazil will not only be able to maintain its energy matrix but also its expansion in parallel with economic and demographic growth.

Today, 90% of Brazil’s electricity matrix is renewable, and by 2024 the total energy matrix will have exceeded the 50% mark for renewable sources.

The energy transition cannot be limited to technological change alone, and that it is essential to vigorously contemplate social inclusion and take care of the most vulnerable sections of the population, especially in the countries of the Global South.

Hydroelectric and solar power
Hydroelectric and solar power play an important and significant role in Brazil’s renewable matrix, and are strategic sources on the path to compliance with our nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. We are making significant progress in this direction. Solar power generation grew by 51% in 2023, making it the country’s fastest-growing sector the last year.

In addition, the high technical and geographical potential of solar energy in the country, which has excellent irradiation in all regions, shows that it is ready to be considered as an important tool for meeting national decarbonisation targets.

Future export hub
Brazil is often mentioned as a future export hub for clean energy, especially green hydrogen and ammonia. We are working hard to strengthen the sector, with plans to excel in the global low-emission hydrogen market.

One of them is our 2023-2025 Three-Year Work Plan of the National Hydrogen Programme (PNH2), which sets targets and priorities for the consolidation of low-emission hydrogen hubs in Brazil, with important milestones in 2025, 2030 and 2035.

In 2024, we enacted the Hydrogen Legal Framework (Law No. 14,948/2024) and now the proposal for a regulatory decree for exploration, production and the incentives established in the Special Incentive Regime for Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production (Rehidro) and the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Development Programme (PHBC) is being finalised. 

Another initiative also under development is the call for hydrogen hubs proposals to decarbonise Brazilian industry. This process is part of Brazil’s application for funding from the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).

The production of biofuels, especially ethanol, also holds great potential. We are now working to transform the CO₂ generated in ethanol production into an opportunity to effectively reduce emissions. Bioenergy technology with carbon capture and storage, known as BECCS, also has the potential to make Brazil a world leader in negative emissions solutions.

Together with President Lula and the ministers who make up the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), we launched the expansion of ethanol’s blending share to 30% and the expansion of biodiesel’s blending share to 15% in August 2025.

Oil and gas
Brazil has been working to ensure that oil and natural gas production continues to contribute to economic development, without compromising on climate commitments. We are proud to say that the exploration and production sector in Brazil accounts for just 1% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Our average emissions are one of the lowest in the world: under 10kg CO₂ per barrel of oil equivalent in the pre-salt, while the global average is 20kg.

We are expanding the technologies that make our production even more efficient. The capture and reinjection of CO₂ into pre-salt reservoirs is a clear example, as are legal instruments to accelerate the capture and geological storage of carbon.

Brazil has undoubtedly taken a leading role in global discussions on the energy transition, seeking to build bridges with different regions of the world. Integration between countries can bring many benefits, opening up opportunities and creating solutions. As well as bilateral and multilateral partnerships with the UK, Denmark and Germany, we are also strengthening regional integration in South America, with an emphasis on natural gas.

In November 2024, we formalised the creation of a Bilateral Working Group with Argentina to expand the supply of natural gas in Brazil, including importing Argentinian production from the Vaca Muerta formation, which had its first results this year. We are also expanding electricity interconnections and already have electricity exchanges with Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Venezuela and are working to expand connections with Bolivia.

Brazil is committed not only to being part of the global energy transition, but will continue to actively contribute to shaping it, with structured proposals, long-term vision and the concrete experience of a country that combines sustainability with real development.

RINA can be a valuable partner for Brazil, contributing to renewable energy projects and actions for sustainability in the mining sector.