Abrage’s projection includes expansion and modernization of current plants, in addition to new constructions and adoption of the reversible model
Brazil has the potential to increase its hydroelectric power generation capacity by 86.4 GW (gigawatts). This represents a 79% increase compared to the current installed capacity of 109 GW. The projection is from Embrace (Brazilian Association of Electric Energy Generating Companies).
This potential includes the expansion and modernization of current hydroelectric plants, in addition to the environmental viability of new constructions that are under study and the adoption of the reversible power plant model in the country. By improving existing generators alone, it would be possible to add 18.4 GW of capacity.
Here is the projection of capacity increase by activity:
- 7.4 GW – investment in 12 plants to add new turbines in existing physical spaces and in the expansion of another 2 hydroelectric plants, as well as to increase the powerhouses;
- 11 GW – repowering of existing plants, i.e., investments to modernize old turbines and increase the power of ready hydroelectric plants;
- 30 GW – with the viability of construction projects for 42 new hydroelectric plants under study, which await prior environmental licensing;
- 38 GW – adoption of reversible plants in the country, whether in existing or new hydroelectric plants. They function as natural batteries, with greater water storage capacity. In this model, there are 2 reservoirs, one upper and one lower, connected and generally smaller than a traditional plant in Brazil.
The projections consider only hydroelectric power plants (UHEs), that is, large-scale plants. According to the CEO of Abrage, Marisete Dadald Pereirathe use of this potential would help to give reliability to the electrical system in the future in drought episodes like the current one.
In the case of the 7.4 GW that can be added with investments in 14 plants, Marisete explains that these are projects that can compete in the next LRCAP (Capacity Reserve Auction in the form of Power). The event, which should take place by the beginning of 2025, contracts the power of plants that remain as backup of the system, being activated during peak demand hours.
The auction will, for the first time, include the contracting of hydroelectric plants. In 2021, LRCAP only contracted thermal plants. According to Marisete, hydroelectric plants are reliable for this power delivery even during droughts, since they are still the ones that most secure the supply during peak hours – together with thermal plants.
Hydroelectric plants, which are renewable energy plants, have been losing ground in the Brazilian electricity grid to other renewable sources, especially wind and solar. However, these new technologies are intermittent, unstable and only generate power at certain times. Hydroelectric plants, on the other hand, have steady generation, especially those with large reservoirs, which are less susceptible to major droughts like the current one.
In the future, Abrage sees room for repowering projects to also participate in power auctions. As for reversible plants, the entity advocates that the storage auction, which is being studied by the government, include reversible hydroelectric plants in addition to chemical batteries coupled to intermittent sources.
Abrage represents 23 generating companies that account for 90% of Brazil’s hydroelectric capacity. Among them are Itaipu Binacional, Eletrobras, CTG and Norte Energia. Founded 25 years ago in Belo Horizonte, the association moved its headquarters to Brasília this year to expand dialogue with the Executive and Legislative Branches.
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