The possibility opened up by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) requesting that entrepreneurs abandon projects without economic viability has mobilized a volume of requests exceeding what the Agency itself initially estimated.
A survey by ONS (National Electric System Operator) shows that 223 projects have requested entry into the exceptional mechanism for amicable termination of transmission system usage contracts, nicknamed by the market as "Forgiveness Day". Together, the projects total 11,5 GW of installed capacity.
The result exceeds the projection used by ANEEL During the drafting of Regulatory Resolution No. 1.157/2026, the agency estimated that approximately 9,5 GW of capacity was tied to projects with no concrete prospect of implementation and that could be included in the program.
Now, the documentation submitted by the entrepreneurs will undergo technical analysis by the ONS (National System Operator). The projects deemed eligible will be forwarded to... ANEELwho will have the final say on the revocation of the respective generation permits before the formal termination of the contracts.
More space in the broadcast
The initiative was created to address a problem that has accumulated in recent years: the maintenance of transmission contracts associated with projects that have not progressed to the construction phase or have failed to secure commercial operation.
According to the rules approved by the regulatory agency, participants can terminate their CUSTs (Transmission System Usage Contracts) and return the respective licenses without being charged EUSTs (Transmission System Usage Termination Charges).
The mechanism also provides for the return of guarantees linked to the contracts and the waiver of penalties associated with delays in starting commercial operations.
According to ANEELThe aim of the measure is not to favor entrepreneurs, but to remove projects considered unviable from the network and reduce financial risks for transmission companies, freeing up capacity currently committed to projects that are unlikely to be executed.
Predominance of solar projects
Data compiled by the ONS (National System Operator) shows a clear predominance of photovoltaic projects among those interested in joining the mechanism.
Of the 223 applications received, 211 are for solar power plants, which together represent approximately 9,3 GW. Wind power projects account for nine applications, equivalent to approximately 300 MW, while three applications came from thermoelectric projects, totaling 1,9 GW.
The geographical distribution of requests also reveals a strong concentration in some states. Minas Gerais leads in the volume of registered power, with approximately 4 GW, followed by Bahia, with 2,8 GW. Requests were also registered in Ceará, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Paraíba, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Norte.
Expectations exceed initial projections.
The volume of sign-ups drew attention because it exceeded the estimates presented during the legislative process. In the studies that underpinned the resolution, the ANEEL It identified approximately 9,5 GW of transmission system usage amounts tied to projects with no apparent economic viability.
These contracts were associated with approximately R$ 3,5 billion in potential termination charges, amounts that could turn into liabilities that would be difficult to recover if the projects remained unable to move forward.
During the public consultation that preceded the approval of the regulation, proposals emerged to make adherence more burdensome, including partial collection of termination fees, exclusion of amnesty for fines, and future restrictions on entrepreneurs who opted to return the grants. ANEEL He decided to reject those suggestions.
According to the agency's assessment, imposing additional costs would reduce participation from agents with greater financial difficulties, compromising the initiative's main objective, which is to free up transport capacity currently occupied by projects with no prospect of implementation.
Next Steps
With the deadline for applications having passed on June 16th, the process now enters its document validation phase. The ONS (National System Operator) will then complete the analysis of the applications and forward them to... ANEELThe list of approved projects must be submitted by August 20th. The revocation of the permits and the effective termination of the contracts will only occur after the regulatory agency's decision.
More than just an administrative process, the initiative could result in the return of a significant portion of the capacity currently reserved in the transmission network, opening up space for future projects in a scenario of increasing competition for access to the country's electrical infrastructure.
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