Opportunities and Barriers for the expansion of Renewable Energy in Brazil within the context of energy transition and Climate Change mitigation

Abstract

The present work aims to establish, characterize and analyze the relationships between the probable impacts of climate change in the context of the primary sources of renewable energy in Brazil vis-à-vis the country's NDCs under the Paris Agreement. Based on a systematic review of the literature and the analysis of preliminary data on the Brazilian energy system, analysis of documents such as arbitrated scientific manuscripts published in Brazil and abroad, in addition to reports published by the Brazilian government and international energy agencies. Due to the intense emission of GHG in the production and consumption of energy in the global energy matrix, the analysis of mitigation measures, such as the use of clean and renewable energy sources, become essential tools in the fight against climate change, especially given the growing share of fossil sources in the country over the past decade. Hydroelectric plants and those plants based on solar and wind energy tend to register a reduction in their intrinsic potentials for electricity generation in Brazil; however, the last two can still be used on a large scale until at least the end of the century. In contrast, electricity generation based on biofuels should be the renewable source, in general, potentially less affected by climate change. This study has sufficient theoretical basis to assist in decision-making, serving as an intellectual subsidy so that public and private managers working in the planning of the energy area can design and implement socio-environmental policies in Brazil.