Perspectivas para a geração e expansão da energia eólica no Brasil

Abstract

The largest installed capacity for power generation in Brazil comes from hydroelectric plants. However, the scenario of water scarcity with population and economic growth has become a challenge for Brazilian authorities. After the energy crisis of 2001, the country developed public policies with the objective of encouraging the expansion of other renewable sources of electricity. As a highlight, wind energy added 17.747 MW of installed capacity to the National Interconnected System until the end of 2020. However, under unfavorable hydro-energy conditions, the possibility of a new "Blackout" becomes eminent in the future. This dissertation aims to evaluate the prospects for the use and expansion of wind energy in Brazil. To this end, three studies were carried out. In the first study, it was verified how wind energy is contributing for Brazil to reach the commitments assumed in the Paris Agreement for the electric sector. The results show that wind energy is the renewable source that benefited the most from tax incentives and, thus, contributed to the expansion of the participation of renewable energy in the Brazilian energy matrix, by increasing the installed capacity, and can contribute to gains in energy efficiency. The second study evaluated the barriers and directions for the expansion of wind farms in Brazil. The results show that despite the recent growth of wind energy in the country, actions must be taken to mitigate the barriers that were identified. Different measures are discussed. It is concluded that the most complex barriers need interventions from the federal government to be removed or mitigated, as the electricity market is highly regulated and complex in Brazil. The third study analyzed the possible routes for wind power generation in Brazil, based on technical and economic feasibility. The results show that, under current conditions, the onshore route with higher unit power of the wind turbine and tubular tower was the chosen one. However, it was shown that in the medium term, offshore wind energy should become a reality in the country, provided that favorable regulations and licensing models, political and economic stability, and long-term public policies in terms of incentives and subsidies are defined to attract investments for this type of energy generation.