Public energy policy in Brazil

the ways of state fomentation to the use of renewable energy

Abstract

The excessive increase in demand for electricity means the need for a new model of socioeconomic expansion. Energy is of concern today as most of the world's energy sources are not renewable. However, new renewable energy sources are available that play a key role in combating climate change. Brazil enjoys several sources of renewable energy, with significant production potential, such as solar and wind energy. In this sense, public policies to encourage the energy matrix with sustainability bias are developed. Today, hydropower corresponds to approximately 90% of the national energy matrix. Although considered a clean source, it causes high environmental impacts, with the flooding of large areas inhabited or not. As a way of encouraging renewable energy, there are some forms of tax exemption. This paper aims to discuss the public energy policy in Brazil, analyzing if the existing forms of incentive are sufficient to encourage the use of alternative energy methods. Therefore, it is a bibliographic and documental research, which will be consulted various legal instruments and doctrines inherent to the theme, having an essentially qualitative approach. Finally, it is concluded that - from government incentives for new investments in energy infrastructure -, the so-called “new energies” will tend to grow in the coming years.