The energy transition remains one of the most relevant and urgent topics in 2024, with significant advancements and ongoing challenges. Brazil, with its vast natural resource capacity and innovative policies, plays a crucial role in the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable energy matrix.
In 2024, Brazil maintained its global prominence in solar energy generation, consolidating its position among the top ten producers worldwide. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlighted the country’s growth, which now ranks eighth globally and is projected to become the fifth-largest solar energy market by 2032. The expansion of installed electric capacity by 8.4 gigawatts (GW) last year, primarily from wind and solar sources, reinforces Brazil’s leadership in the energy transition.
The regulation of green hydrogen was a milestone in 2023, with the approval of Bill 5.816/2023, which established a favorable regulatory environment for the development of this technology. Studies indicate that hydrogen could comprise up to 22% of the global energy matrix by 2050, highlighting its potential as an essential clean energy source.
Biofuels also gained momentum, especially in the agricultural sector. With the implementation of the Decennial Energy Expansion Plan 2031 and policies such as RenovaBio, biogas and biomethane emerged as viable alternatives to decarbonize Brazilian agribusiness.
The historical global CO2 emissions from 2019 to 2023 reveal a concerning scenario. In 2019, emissions were 36.4 billion tons, dropping drastically to 1.9 billion tons in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021, emissions rebounded to 36.3 billion tons, reaching 40.6 billion tons in 2022 and approximately 40.9 billion tons in 2023, according to the Global Carbon Project. In the energy sector, heat and electricity generation account for the majority of emissions (30%), according to WRI Brasil data.
The energy transition requires substantial investments. According to IRENA, $131 trillion is needed by 2050 to achieve the Paris Agreement goals, keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5°C. These investments are expected to generate a cumulative return of $61 trillion and create 122 million jobs, more than a third of which will be in the renewable energy sector.
Social inclusion is fundamental for a just energy transition. The Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, emphasized the need for indigenous participation in environmental negotiations, highlighting that many of the essential minerals for the energy transition are in indigenous territories. The integration of traditional knowledge is seen as crucial to ensuring a just and sustainable transition.
The future of the energy transition depends on technological innovations, effective public policies, and a global commitment to sustainability. International collaboration will be essential to overcome challenges and maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of this transformation.
In summary, the energy transition in 2024 is a dynamic and multifaceted process, with significant advancements and challenges to overcome. Brazil, with its natural wealth and progressive policies, continues to play a central role in transforming the global energy landscape, demonstrating the potential of renewable energies and the importance of social inclusion in building a sustainable energy future.
