Minas Gerais leads solar energy generation in Brazil

With more than 2,4 GW of installed power in solar energy, 1,7 GW in DG (distributed generation) and around 730 MW in GC (centralized generation), the state of Minas Gerais leads the national ranking. The data are from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency). Currently, the state has incentives for the expansion of photovoltaic sources in the state of Minas Gerais. One of these incentives is the Sol de Minas Project, which aims to leverage the state's leading role in the solar energy sector.

According to the Government of Minas Gerais, the initiative aims to diversify the energy matrix by increasing the number of photovoltaic energy generation projects and attracting companies that supply goods and services to the sector. By increasing the installed capacity for generating electricity and strengthening the production chain, the project has already resulted in 852 of the 853 municipalities in Minas Gerais joining solar DG, which represents more than 99%. Centralized generation is more concentrated in solar parks and plants located, in most cases, in cities in the North of Minas Gerais.

According to data from the ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy), the state of Minas Gerais has already created around 60 thousand jobs and received investments of more than R$ 9 billion. “In practice, it is possible to see results with the Sol de Minas project, in which the photovoltaic sector in the state already avoids the emission of 394 thousand tons of greenhouse gases per year. In addition, the fact that the photovoltaic sector has a cyclical economy in relation to the useful life of its panels avoids waste and helps to minimize CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. In this context, the current administration has already attracted more than R$ 43 billion in investments related to renewable energy. The amount refers to 23 projects located in 11 municipalities, which made it possible to create more than 5.300 direct and indirect jobs in Minas Gerais”, said the government in a statement.

Race to zero

Last year, the state formally joined the global Race to Zero campaign to eliminate carbon emissions, demonstrating the current administration's commitment to the environmental cause and focus on sustainable development. The international initiative aims to limit the increase in global temperature to 1,5 degrees. The actions of the Government of Minas Gerais in this regard were also presented during COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Adherence to global action is in line with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) defined by the UN, which provide, among other measures, environmental sustainability, investment in clean sources of energy and actions that avoid sudden climate changes and their impacts to nature.

According to Mariana de Oliveira, the Energy Director at Sede-Minas, the goal sought by the Minas Gerais Government will be achieved by stepping up decarbonization efforts and attracting investment to sustainable businesses. “The adoption of this transition plan has already begun to be implemented with the commitment to update the Minas Gerais State Energy and Climate Change Plan, which should occur within 12 months. It will establish measures to reduce emissions to zero by 2050. In addition, intermediate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be met by 2030. This will enable a scenario of inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development,” said the Energy Director.