Electricity demand in Brazil increased by 35 TWh (+4.9 percent) in 2024, similar to the 2023 increase (+35 TWh, +5 percent) and triple the 2022 increase (+11 TWh, +1.6 percent).
The demand growth was mainly met by solar (+23 TWh, +45 percent) and wind (+12 TWh, +13 percent) generation, according to Ember report.
Brazil had the third-largest increase in solar generation globally in 2024 and became the fifth-largest solar generator, surpassing Germany.
It also had the third-largest increase in wind generation and remained fourth globally in total annual wind generation.
Hydro generation declined by 14 TWh (-3.2 percent) in 2024 due to a widespread drought, partially offset by a 12 TWh (+18 percent) increase in fossil fuel generation, mainly gas (+10 TWh, +27 percent).
Brazil’s high renewable share is driven by its hydro base and fast growth in solar and wind, with wind and solar reaching 24 percent of the mix in 2024, up from 17 percent in 2022 and 5.8 percent in 2016.
Power sector emissions peaked in 2014 at 114 MtCO2 and fell to 77 MtCO2 in 2024, 32 percent below the peak, due to the rise of renewables.
Emissions fluctuated due to weather variability; in 2024, emissions rose slightly (+8 MtCO2) due to lower hydro and higher fossil generation.
In 2024, 90 percent of Brazil’s electricity came from clean sources, with hydro at 56 percent and wind and solar at 24 percent, both above global and regional averages.
Brazil generated over 87 percent of its electricity from renewables in 2024, the highest in the G20 and nearly triple the global average of 32 percent.
Fossil fuels accounted for only 10 percent of electricity, a sixth of the global average.
Brazil’s carbon intensity of electricity was 103 gCO2/kWh in 2024, the second-lowest in the G20 and less than a quarter of the global average.
Electricity demand per capita was 3.6 MWh, just below the global average of 3.8 MWh but above the Latin American average of 2.8 MWh.
Per capita emissions from electricity were 0.4 tCO2, the lowest in the G20 and under a quarter of the global average of 1.8 tCO2.
GreentechLead.com News Desk