Driven by wind and solar energy, the electrical matrix has record growth in 2023

Driven by the performance of wind and solar energy, the Brazilian electrical matrix recorded its biggest growth since 2016, when it had reached 9,527.8 megawatts (MW). In 2023, it reached a record of 10,324.2 (MW), even exceeding the target established at the beginning of the year by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), of 10,302.4 MW.

Only in December did 51 generating units begin to operate commercially, adding 1.9 gigawatt (GW) to the country’s installed capacity.

In total, throughout the year, Brazil added almost 200 thousand MW of inspected power, according to data from Aneel’s Generation Information System (Siga), which is updated daily with data from plants in operation and licensed projects in the construction phase. Of this total in operation, 83.67% of the plants are considered renewable.

According to Aneel, wind farms contributed to boosting growth. Of the total of 291 plants that came into operation in the country, 140 are wind and these produced 4.9 GW of energy – which accounts for 47.65% of the expansion of the matrix in the year.

Next are the solar ones. There were 104 photovoltaic solar plants, responsible for the production of 4,070.9 MW.

This also adds up to a total of 291 plants. 33 thermoelectric plants (1,214.9 MW), 11 small hydroelectric plants (158.0 MW) and three hydroelectric generating plants (11.4 MW). The projects were built in 19 states located in the five Brazilian regions.