EN 
PT_BR 
According to a technical report, released last Friday (25) by MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy), solar and wind sources in the Northeast totaled 45.5% in the 2020 generation matrix.
For the first time, according to the SPE (Secretariat of Energy Planning and Development), which belongs to the MME, these sources transformed the region from an importer to a net exporter of electrical energy.
“The new generation configuration in Brazil has modified exchanges between states and regions, providing a greater diversity of supply solutions,” said the SPE in a note.
The Northeast region had a deficit of 21% of generation in 2000, 3% in 2019, and started to have a surplus of 12% in 2020, where it exceeded total demand.
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In 2000, for example, six states exported net electricity, this indicator increased to 14 in 2020. This new configuration required, however, a strong expansion of transmission lines, doubling from 2000 to 2020.
“The 21st century is being the protagonist of regional electricity generation matrices that are less concentrated and more diversified by source. In the 20th century, hydroelectric expansion occurred primarily near the largest load centers, in the Southeast and South regions”, they pointed out.
These two regions accounted for almost 70% of Brazil's hydraulic generation at the end of 2000 and, in 2020, the indicator had already dropped to 48%.
“In addition to regional displacement, hydraulic generation lost significant share at the regional level, being complemented by significant expansions of wind, solar and bioenergy generation”, highlighted the SPE.
“The worsening of the drought in 2021 and the lack of need for rationing is a demonstration that moves towards a generation matrix less dependent on hydraulics were and are being fundamental”, they concluded.
Solar energy in the Northeast
Data from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) indicate that the Northeast has around 1.8 GW of installed power – which leaves the region in third place, behind the Southeast, with approximately 3.3 GW, and the South, with 2 GW of power.
