This document summarizes characteristics of Brazil's energy sector including its large population, heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, and lower per capita energy consumption compared to OECD countries. It also describes biomass uses in Brazil, the rural electrification program, regional inequities in electricity consumption, and early government initiatives on climate change impacts. The document concludes with a case study on a biodiesel project in Amazonas state that aims to provide renewable energy to isolated communities and generate jobs through vegetable oil and soap production.

1. Country Case Study – Brazil
Milan, December 3rd 2003
Angela Oliveira da Costa
Christiano Pires de Campos
Maria Silvia Muylaert de Araujo
Rachel Martins Henriques

2. Brazilian Characteristics
Around 170 million inhabitants
73.4 GW of installed electric capacity (85%
hydro power)
2000 electricity consumption increased 58%
over 1990; installed capacity grew only 32 % in
the same period
Energy consumption:
– Brazil: 500 kWh/year.cap
– OECD: 8000 kWh/year.cap
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3. Biomass Use
Main Applications of Biomass in
Brazil
industrial
sector
residential use
energetic
sector
transport
Source: National Energy Balance, 2002 agriculture
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4. Rural Energy Situation
Rural
Electrification
Rate in Brazil:
70% (Latin
America and
Developing
Countries: 50%)
Decentralized
Electrification
Program “Luz no
Campo”
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5. Electricity Consumption
Inequities
Regional Analysis of Electric Residential Consumption - 1999
Region Population Residential kWh/cap
(million) Consumption
(GWh)
North 12.4 3,604 290
North East 46.8 11,948 255
South East 70.8 47,283 668
South 24.7 12,667 513
Center West 11.4 5,828 511
Total Brazil 166.1 81,330 490
Source: National Energy Balance, Sinopsis 2000 and Almanaque Abril-Brasil, 2001
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6. Early Government Initiatives
aim at the Impacts,
Vulnerability and Adaptation to
Climate Change (2004)
Bio-diversity Water
Resources
Health
Agro Sector Forest
Sector
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7. Status of DRE Activities in
1990
Brazil
– Emphasis on the privatisation of the electrical sector
2002
– Law 10438 created PROINFA
Encourage renewable forms for electrical energy generation
Establish the universal service obligations of distribution
concessionaries
According to this law, Brazil energy matrix will include 3,300 MW
of renewable energy in 2 years
2003
– Law 10 438 Regulation
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8. Amazon Region
Amazonas State: North of Brazil
Population: 5 million people
Demographic density: 10 inh./km2
Annual rate of growth: more than 3.1%
Rural population: 30%
Gross Domestic Product: around 1.5 %
Human Development Indicator is between
0.7 and 0.8.
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9. Amazon Region
The electric energy grid is economically
unfeasible to attend the rural population.
Dependence of diesel fuel
- Electricity generation
- Transportation of the fuel
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10. Case Study: The Biodiesel
Project in Amazon
The Biodiesel Project:
– Boca do Acre and Pauini (below the poverty line)
– Communities are diesel dependents
– Biodiesel Project: An Energetic Alternative for Small
Isolated Communities in Boca do Acre and Pauini
– Biodiesel production from vegetal oils
(for energy purposes); and
– Medicinal glycerine soap production
(for exportation purposes)
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11. Case Study: The Biodiesel
Project in Amazon
The Biodiesel Project: clear goals for the
sustainable development and poverty
reduction.
It is renewable and regional, strengthening
the local economy with the vegetal oil
production and its benefit processing,
giving access to energy.
This project may generate many jobs.
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12. Case Study: The Biodiesel
Project in Amazon
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13. Case Study: The Biodiesel
Project in Amazon
Biodiesel Uses (No need to change the present technologies in the
electric energy generation of the region).
Transterification:
- Extractive activities;
- Plantation;
- Waste.
The basic condition for this project: areas capable of produce oil
trees.
In the Amazonas State it is recommended to use degraded areas to
implement an agro forest management.
A vegetal oil cooperative is being created to be the manager of the
project ⇒Transportation of the seeds to the oil plant, biodiesel plant
and soap plant ⇒ Manage the commercialization of the biodiesel and
the soaps.
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14. Sustainable Development
issues due to DRE
Income Generation;
Job Creation;
Displace the need for fossil fuels ⇒ Reduce
carbon emissions;
Diversify the electricity matrix ⇒ Reduce the
risk of system-wide supply deficits.
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15. Thank You
Obrigada
Grazie
Gracias
Danke Merci
Parakalo
Arigato Spassiva