O Brazil and Argentina are only countries in Latin America who still have new coal power plant projects approved or under development, something that goes against the global trend and the recommendations of the scientific community on the importance of adopting decarbonization policies.
The finding is part of a international study, released this Thursday (11), by Global Energy Monitor.
The report points out that just 1,4 GW of coal capacity remained in “pre-construction” or under construction across Latin America until the end of 2023, which represents a 19% drop compared to 2022 and a decrease of 86% compared to 2015.
Currently, two new coal plants authorized from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) in Brazil and only unit under construction in Argentina These are all that remain of proposed projects in Latin America, which, if canceled, would eliminate any plans to expand coal use on the continent.
In Brazil, the Nova Seival and Pedras Altas power plants (or “Black Gold”) were expected to start operations between 2026 and 2027, but after facing financial and legal obstacles in the development phases, none of the projects moved forward in 2023. Both are on hold, but have not yet been officially cancelled.
“Installing new coal plants in a world that breaks temperature records every month is denying science and turning our backs on the entire climate agenda. It is not just about using polluting energy and perpetuating fossil sources, but about deliberately fueling the climate crisis and condemning millions of people to their own fate”, said Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory.
In addition to the Global Energy Monitor, the report's co-authors are: the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research; E3G; Reclaim Finance; Sierra Club; Solutions for Our Climate; Kiko Network; Bangladeshi groups; Trend Asia; Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy; Sustainable Chile; POLEN Fair Transitions; Mexico Climate Initiative; and the Arayara International Institute.
Check out the full report by clicking here.
Coal Incentives
In addition to maintaining the operation of coal plants, the Brazil also continues to expand financial benefits for the polluting source.
An example of this is in offshore wind bill (PL 11.247/18) – which was approved, at the end of last year, in the Chamber of Deputies with tortoises that benefit fossil fuels.
One of them requires recontracting of coal-fired thermal plants by 2050. In addition to more greenhouse gas emissions, tortoises, which also include gas generation, can generate ccosts of R$40 billion annually for electricity consumers, according to ABRACE calculations.
“We know there is a huge LOBBY of coal in Brazil and which has been influential in extending subsidies and public contracts for coal plant concessions and relaxing laws to increase energy production in fossil fuel plants during climate emergencies,” said Nicole Figueiredo, executive director from the Arayara International Institute.
Considering that Brazil will host COP 30, in November 2025, in Recife (PE), the executive believes that the country has in its hands “a unique opportunity to transform Brazil into a climate leader that does what it says, announcing that there will be no new coal projects before the next COP”.
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