Brazil is able to lead the renewable energy sector, says specialist

The president of the Brazilian Association of Large Industrial Consumers of Energy and Free Consumers (Abrace), Paulo Pedrosa, sees Brazil as being able to “lead the world in renewable energy.”

In an interview with CNN Radio, he explained that the country has a vocation for renewables, with “great winds and strong sun”: “By combining renewable sources and using better reservoirs and perhaps with a quantity of thermal plants to consolidate the energy of hydroelectric plants and new technologies, we are able to lead the world with renewable and competitive energy.”

However, Pedrosa made a reservation: “Unfortunately, Brazil uses the path of privilege, avoid competition, choose the winner. No country is in a better position than Brazil to lead the world in renewables.”

The energy crisis, for the president of Abrace, should serve to “correct the defects” in the sector – such as the incentive to renewable energy –, since, now, “there is not much to be done”.

He points out that energy is in all the products people buy. “Everything has an energy cost, whoever pays 100 reais from the electricity bill spends 300 reais on the energy of the hairdresser’s hair dryer, on the energy used to freeze the chicken or to make the mirror that hangs at home. The cost of energy comes three times stronger through what they buy,” he said.

Pedrosa emphasizes that the increase in rainfall is positive, but it does not mean that the crisis will be resolved. “Some agencies specializing in climate have also pointed out great concern that next year will be dry. The start of the rainy season is good, but that doesn’t mean it will be all good. We have to save energy and work to correct inefficiencies.”

*Produced by Joyce Murasaki