Brazil plans 3.5GW of solar by 2023

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Brazil has released its plans for energy developments for the next ten years, with 3.5GW of solar planned.

Brazil’s Energy Research Company (EPE), a government arm of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), released the energy expansion plan for up to 2023 last week.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The plan includes solar power projects to be procured in the country’s up-coming auctions. Brazil’s first energy auction is to be held 30 September and is for all energy sources to compete for national tenders. The later A-3 reserve auction in October will include a solar-only category.

The plan says renewables' contribution to the country’s energy mix is to stay at around 42% until 2023 and will account for 11.5% of all newly installed capacity in 2023.

The EPE report also reveals that Brazil expects to be a major producer and exporter of oil, producing 5 million barrels per day and exporting 1.5 million.

Ethanol production is to grow from 28 billion to 48 billion litres in 2023.

Wind installations will amount to 23GW by 2023 and hydro, 28GW, most of which will take place in the Northern region, including the controversial Belo Monte hydro power plant.

There will be 7.5MW of new thermal electric power plants (coal, oil and gas). Non renewable energy sources are to fall by 1%, from the current 17% for 2014, to 16% of generation by 2023.

The energy infrastructure upgrades and new generation will require BR1.26 trillion in investments over the next ten years.

Oil and gas exploration will account for 62% of investments, 24% of investment will go towards the electricity sector, and 14% towards biofuels.

Brazil’s national election is next month, with renewables and energy taking a lead in debates and all of the main candidates specifying renewables as part of policy plans.  

Last month Brazil’s national development bank (BNDES) also announced funding conditions for energy auctions to help create a domestic PV production chain to encourage domestic PV manufacturing in Brazil.

Read Next

August 21, 2025
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecast that the US will add 33.3GW of utility-scale solar PV in 2025.
August 21, 2025
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), through its renewable energy arm NTPC Green Energy, has commissioned 212.5MW of solar capacity at its 1.25GW Khavda-I project. 
August 21, 2025
Qair has secured a US$5.7 million senior debt facility to finance the development of a 5.8MW floating solar (FPV) project in Seychelles.
August 20, 2025
Blueleaf Energy has signed an MoU with Chemsain Sustainability to explore a portfolio of up to 3GW of solar PV and BESS in Malaysia.
August 20, 2025
Solar manufacturer T1 Energy has signed a 437MW module supply agreement with an as-yet undisclosed US utility.
August 20, 2025
USDA has announced that new wind and solar projects on agricultural land will not be eligible for two federal loan programmes.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines