ANEEL simplifies and speeds up the granting of solar plants and other renewable sources

A ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) published a new standard that aims to simplify and speed up the process of granting authorization for solar plants and other renewable sources, such as wind, thermoelectric and hybrid.

The standard is the result of the analysis of contributions received in the Public Consultation 39/2022, which included the participation of several agents from the electricity sector.

The new standard brings benefits to those interested in investing in solar plants and other renewable sources, such as:

• Reduction of documentation and requirements necessary to request authorization, making the process simpler and faster;
• Possibility of starting the plant implementation works regardless of the issuance of an act by ANEEL, at the risk and expense of the interested party, respecting the applicable environmental and technical standards;
• Definition of the concept of a hybrid plant, which combines different generation technologies, such as solar and wind, and allows them to share the same connection infrastructure and use of the electrical system;
• Establishment of criteria and procedures for requesting the transfer of ownership of the grant to another agent, as well as the cases in which the transfer will be prohibited or conditioned.

The new standard does not apply to solar plants with an installed capacity equal to or less than 5 MW, which are considered to have reduced capacity and are subject to different regulation.

The standard will come into force after its publication in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union). ANEEL hopes that the standard will contribute to the sustainable development of the Brazilian electricity sector, encouraging the use of renewable sources and diversifying the national energy matrix.