Brazil energy regulators update capex plans

Brazilian authorities have announced new capex projections for the energy sector. 

According to electric power watchdog Aneel, the next power transmission tender is expected to demand 7.6bn reais (US$1.3bn) in investments. 

The preliminary version of the auction notice, submitted to public consultation on Tuesday, foresees the contracting of 11 lots on October 31 this year, according to an Aneel release. 

On the table is the construction and maintenance of 1,178km of new transmission lines and sections and 4,400MVA in transformation capacity, as well as fast automatic reactive control systems and seven synchronous compensators. 

The projects in the provisional notice are expected to be installed in 13 states: Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia and São Paulo.

Meanwhile, oil and gas regulator ANP announced that investments of around US$1.5bn in exploration are planned for 2025, part of some US$2.3bn so far announced for 2025-28.

This year's total will include US$1.1bn to drill 25 exploratory wells, ANP said in a release. 

Around 95% of the total investment planned for 2025 is concentrated in the offshore basins. The highlight is the East Margin basins (Pernambuco-Paraíba, Sergipe-Alagoas, Jacuípe, Camamu-Almada, Jequitinhonha, Cumuruxatiba, Mucuri, Espírito Santo, Campos, Santos and Pelotas), where the figure could reach US$1.45bn. 

The Equatorial Margin is projected to receive US$1.2mn and onshore basins another US$80.3mn.  

Gas distribution

Finally, last week Rio de Janeiro state's gas distribution concessionaire Naturgy disclosed investments in the order of 672mn reais over the next two years. 

The funds will be used to build new gas pipelines and other infrastructure to reinforce and expand service to satisfy growing demand for piped natural gas in the interior.