Brazil stands out in energy security

The international market’s opinion of Brazil on energy security has changed in recent years, and the country is seen as an important international agent in this sector. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Paulo Alvim made this assessment on Monday (30), during the Energy Seminar: Development, Challenges, and Opportunities, carried out by the Rio de Janeiro Industry Federation (Firjan ), and the Rio de Janeiro Naval Technological Cluster (CTN-RJ).

According to the minister, Brazil is committed to the production of sustainable, renewable, and clean energy, mainly based on biofuels. Alvim said issues related to energy in the face of the war between Russia and Ukraine show the importance of energy security in the world.

“When we talk about an important player in energy security, which has become a factor of technological sovereignty, Brazil is seen as a key player in the game. Regarding the prospects for 2050, Brazil is seen as a fundamental player, when we talk about food sovereignty to meet world demand, when we talk about energy sovereignty at the planet level, we talk about Brazil as a player, mainly in a cleaner matrix less based on oil, gas, and coal,” he said.

For the minister, these are potentials that Brazil needs to develop more and more. This is why the role of research in the area of development and the important contributions of Brazilian science and technology are being significantly expanded, he added.

In his speech during the seminar, Minister Alvim has pointed out the integration of the ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mines and Energy, Economy and Agriculture, which allows actions to make viable inputs and means of sustainable energy production in the country.

As an example, he mentioned the study on the fuel of the future and hydrogen, carried out at the Energy Technological Center, which is the Fund intended to finance energy efficiency programs and projects.

According to the minister, the production of hydrogen is a topic that has been demanded by President Jair Bolsonaro, enriching the several clean energy alternatives existing in Brazil.

Solar and wind energy

Alvim has also pointed out Brazil´s effort to increase the production of solar and wind energy to guarantee alternative sources for the country, however without giving up nuclear energy.

Energy transition

The Secretary of Energy Planning and Development of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) Paulo César Magalhães Domingues, who also participated in the seminar, spoke about Brazil’s performance in the international market, as the seventh-largest oil producer, and also the seventh-largest oil exporter. He also mentioned the growing volume of investments that have been reported in several areas, especially after auctions.

Dealing with energy transition today, Brazil is far ahead compared to other countries, he added, referring to the country’s strategy to promote clean and renewable energies.