Santa Catarina envisions a structural energy transition with the advancement of hydrogen
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A recent study published in the online journal Produção sheds light on one of the most complex and strategic processes in the Brazilian economy: the socio-technical transition of the energy sector in the coal-mining region of Santa Catarina. Traditionally anchored in the exploitation of coal, the region is now facing a historic inflection point driven by climate pressures, technological innovation, and new regulatory guidelines, which reposition low-carbon hydrogen as a central alternative for the energy future.
Between structural resistance and innovation, the transition follows a gradual trajectory until 2055.
The research analyzes the reconfiguration of the energy system, highlighting that the replacement of coal with hydrogen does not occur linearly, but as an evolutionary and multifaceted process. In the short term (2025–2035), public policies and financial incentives tend to strain the current model, opening space for hydrogen pilot projects.
In the intermediate phase (2035–2045), technological maturation and cost reduction should catalyze the migration of investments and the restructuring—or decommissioning—of thermoelectric assets. In the long-term horizon (2045–2055), hydrogen emerges as the dominant driver, accompanied by the adaptation of production chains, workforce retraining, and a consistent reduction in emissions. The study reinforces that socio-technical transitions extend beyond the technological dimension, involving changes in regulatory frameworks, industrial practices, and social dynamics.
