Cemig CEO denies the company causes problems for distributed generation

The CEO of Brazilian energy firm Cemig, Reynaldo Passanezi Filho, denied that the company is making it difficult for new distributed generation (DG) units to connect to its network. 

"We understand that we’ve complied with all the regulations, and I reiterate that, from a relative point of view, the largest share of DG in Brazil is in Minas Gerais, which means being connected to Cemig," he told BNamericas.

"Everything is done by the rules, without a doubt," he added.  

Solar lobby group MSL accuses the Minas Gerais power distribution company of arbitrarily preventing consumers in its concession area from generating their own energy. 

Entrepreneurs working in the DG market claimed that the problem is widespread, also affecting other states in the country. 

BNamericas will publish the views of Marcos Madureira, president of distributors association Abradee, on the matter in the coming days.

LOW DEMAND

On Thursday, during a presentation at the Enase event of electricity sector agents in Rio de Janeiro, Passanezi Filho said that Brazil needs to attract energy demand. 

“In my view, the issue of financing is not central to our success in the energy transition. It's demand. If we don't start growing the load, it will be impossible,” he said. 

He added that Brazil has all the conditions to attract financing in the form of debt or equity if there are good business opportunities.

He cited the installation of datacenters and green hydrogen plants as potential vectors for generating energy demand. 

The country has seen relatively low growth rates in energy consumption, while there is a growing volume of energy generation projects connecting to the grid.