EN 
PT_BR 
Paraíba's electricity sector is expected to receive investments of R$ 7 billion by 2025, creating approximately 54 thousand direct jobs. Therefore, in new energy plants alone, contributions in the state of Paraíba should total R$ 5.5 billion, with emphasis on the expansion of solar and wind sources, applied in needier areas in the interior of the state.
The survey was carried out by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) and released during the 1st Sertão Solar Energy Forum, held last Friday (17), at the UFCG Campus Pombal (Federal University of Campina Grande).
“ANEEL’s safe and transparent performance in regulating the Brazilian electricity sector will provide investments in the region of R$ 7 billion for the Paraíba electricity sector by the year 2025, generating around 54 thousand direct jobs”, stated André Pepitone, director- general of ANEEL.
The mentioned value arises from investments in energy generation, transmission and distribution. The amount is equivalent to more than 11% of the state's annual GDP (gross domestic product), which, in 2017, was R$ 62.4 billion, according to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).
In addition to Pepitone, the forum, which had the theme “Solar Energy in the Northeastern Sertão”, was attended by ANEEL directors Sandoval Feitosa and Efrain Cruz and the president of Chesf, Fabio Lopes.
“The northeastern hinterland, which was once punished by the sun, will now be able to use that same sun to be a vector for development in the region through solar plants”, highlighted Cruz.
“We have abundant sun and wind in the Northeast and capable and hard-working people. With abundant energy from the sun and winds, it will transform and free the semi-arid region from poverty”, added Feitosa.
Also according to ANEEL, approximately R$ 767 million will be invested, by 2025, in the transmission sector, generating around 1,700 new jobs.
