After approximately six hours of bidding, the first LRCAP (Capacity Reserve Auction in the Form of Power) of 2026 was concluded — the second in history, following the edition held in 2021 — with the contracting of 18,97 GW of installed capacity.
The contest, promoted by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) and operated by CCEE (Electric Energy Trading Chamber), began at 10:00 AM and concluded at 4:04 PM, with the bidding being conducted product by product. released in real time by Canal Solar.
Approximately 16,7 GW were contracted for thermal power plants and 2,3 GW for hydroelectric plant expansions, considering the available power. In total, 100 projects were selected, involving thermal power plants using natural gas, coal, and hydroelectric plant expansions.
Among the companies included are: Eneva, PetroBrazilian companies such as Bras, Axia Energia, J&F, Copel, EPASA, Porto do Pecém I, Suzano, Imetame, Cocal Biometano, among others, participated in the bidding process. Despite the high level of competition, the auction registered an average discount of 5,52%, representing an estimated savings of R$ 33,64 billion for energy consumers.
The expectation is that the projects will enable approximately R$ 64,5 billion in new investments in the electricity sector. According to the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the contracted volume will be fundamental to guaranteeing the country's energy security throughout the next decade.
“We held the largest thermal power plant auction in the country's history, a process that ensures not only energy security but also affordable tariffs. Without this contracted park, the system would be more exposed to the need for emergency contracts, as occurred in 2021, at significantly higher costs,” he stated.
According to the minister, the auction also reinforces the attraction of investments to the country, especially with the entry of new projects between 2028 and 2031, involving civil works, equipment acquisition and expansion of natural gas infrastructure – factors that contribute to the reliability of the Brazilian electricity system.
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