Renewable energy as a tool to assure continuity of a low emission Brazilian electric power sector — Results of an aggressive renewable energy policy

In April 2002, Brazilian Congress approved a law which created a stick and carrot policy (PROINFA) to push the development of renewable energy and also a compulsory full coverage. As regards to full coverage, by the end of 2004, Brazilian electric energy regulating agency (ANEEL) had established norms for the use of individual electric energy generation systems through intermittent sources (SIGFI), increasing the number of available technology options for the electrification of rural market. Regular use of these systems can reduce the total investment of the bold program of universal access undertaken for the Brazilian government, calculated in US$ 3.3 billion. Universal access plan proposed by COELBA, Bahia´s electricity utility, where there are more than 350 thousand non-electrified households, foresees the installation of 30.000 SHS. This new paradigm has started to be replicated among several other electricity companies over the Country.