Brazil facing the energy transition: study analyzes challenges and paths towards a more sustainable matrix
- REDAÇÃO H2RADAR
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
At the epicenter of the global climate emergency, the energy sector has emerged as a key player in curbing the advance of global warming. Responsible for around 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this activity demands profound transformations, especially in countries that, like Brazil, have unique characteristics both in their energy matrix and in their vulnerabilities. It is in this context that the study Energy and sustainability in Brazil: challenges and perspectives in an energy transition context offers a thorough analysis of Brazil's role in the climate agenda, comparing national and international indicators from the perspective of sustainable development.
Beyond renewability: the multiple challenges of Brazilian energy sustainability
For decades, measuring the sustainability of an energy system was limited to the proportion of renewable sources in the matrix. The study, however, adopts a broader approach, aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which includes universal access to energy, security of supply and mitigation of climate change. From this perspective, Brazil has made significant progress, such as its already high share of renewable sources — especially hydroelectric and, more recently, wind and solar. Even so, the country faces significant obstacles to ensuring a fair, resilient and inclusive energy transition.
Among the critical points highlighted are the difficulty of universalizing access to energy in isolated communities, especially in the Amazon region, and the growing exposure of the Brazilian electrical system to extreme weather events. Intermittent rainfall, heat waves and severe events such as cyclones and droughts directly affect the predictability and safety of hydroelectric generation, the historical basis of the Brazilian matrix.
The study also reveals that, despite Brazil's comparative advantage in clean sources, the country still needs to develop structural policies that articulate energy security, social justice and climate adaptation. This requires not only expanding renewable energy infrastructure, but also diversifying technologies, strengthening smart grids, encouraging energy storage and developing financing mechanisms for the most vulnerable regions and populations.
