Snapshot: Brazil’s solar, wind power capacity

Solar and wind power are nearing 40% of Brazil’s total installed capacity, according to a BNamericas survey. 

Combined, the renewable sources add up to 77.5GW out of a total of 204GW in operation. 

Solar power recently reached 46GW, according to local association Absolar. 

Of this total, 31.2GW are distributed and 14.9GW centralized generation, which, since 2012, have required approximately 80 billion reais (US$14.6bn) in investments. 

“Solar energy is one of the most competitive sources in Brazil. And that's why it's growing the fastest, whether in small systems on roofs and land or in large plants connected to the national grid,” Ronaldo Koloszuk, chairman of Absolar's board of directors, said in a press release. 

“Those who invest in their own photovoltaic generation, for example, can save up to 90% on their energy bills. And the return is quick, as the price of modules fell by more than 50% last year,” added Koloszuk. 

Wind power currently totals 31.5GW, according to Brazil’s electric power watchdog Aneel. 

As BNamericas showed in its latest wind power report, the sector is facing challenging demand and supply-side dynamics. 

For the first time since 2009, Brazil's wind power market is expected to slow down. Last year, growth was 4.8GW, and in 2024 it should reach 2.5GW, a similar average growth figure to 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

"We've grown a lot, breaking generation records in the last three years. However, today we’re experiencing a sensitive moment in the short term, especially for wind turbine manufacturers," Elbia Gannoum, executive president of the local wind power association Abeeólica, told BNamericas.