Brazil Achieves Milestone: Wind and Solar Power Power Over One-Third of Its Electricity Supply for the First Time

September 12, 2025

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil has cemented its position as a renewable energy leader, achieving a historic milestone in August. For the first time ever, Wind and solar power collectively contributed more than one-third of the country’s total electricity generation, according to recently released government data. This surge in clean energy production underscores Brazil’s commitment to lasting power solutions and its growing capacity in the renewable sector.

A Record-Breaking Month for Renewables

The analysis, conducted by the energy think tank Ember, revealed that wind and solar sources generated a record-breaking 19 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in August. This impressive figure is enough to supply approximately 119 million Brazilian households for an entire month, showcasing the critically important impact of these renewable technologies. The output surpassed the previous high of 18.6 TWh, recorded in September 2024.

Hydroelectric Output Declines

This achievement comes amidst a period of reduced hydroelectric power generation, traditionally Brazil’s dominant energy source. Hydroelectric output has reached a four-year low, creating an prospect for wind and solar to fill the gap and demonstrate their reliability. This situation highlights the importance of diversifying energy sources to ensure a stable and sustainable power supply.

Brazil’s Renewable Energy Growth

Raul Miranda, Ember’s global program director based in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized that Brazil’s success story illustrates how a rapidly expanding economy can simultaneously meet its increasing energy demands with renewable sources like solar and wind. This transition is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable, paving the way for future growth and development.

Did You Know? Brazil has been actively investing in wind and solar infrastructure over the past decade, resulting in a significant decrease in the cost of renewable energy and an increase in its overall capacity.

Energy Source	August 2025 Generation	Percentage of Total
Wind Power	9.5 TWh	17%
Solar Power	9.5 TWh	17%
Hydroelectric Power	[Data unavailable]	[Data unavailable]
Other Sources	[Data unavailable]	[Data unavailable]
Total	57 TWh (estimated)	100%

The continued expansion of wind and solar energy in Brazil is expected to further reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. This trend serves as an encouraging example for other nations seeking to transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

What other nations can learn from Brazil’s success in integrating renewables into their energy mix? How will the decreasing costs of solar and wind technologies shape the future of electricity generation worldwide?

Understanding Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are naturally replenishing and have a minimal environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels. They play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. As technology advances and costs decline, renewable energy is becoming increasingly accessible and cost-effective, driving its adoption globally. brazil’s progress highlights the potential for economic growth alongside environmental stewardship.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brazil’s Renewable Energy

1. What is driving the growth of renewable energy in Brazil? The decreasing costs of wind and solar technologies, coupled with government incentives and a growing demand for sustainable energy, are key factors.
2. How does Brazil’s renewable energy mix compare to other countries? Brazil is a leader in renewable energy within the G20, exceeding its 2030 goals for renewable electricity generation.
3. What impact does lower hydroelectric output have on Brazil’s energy supply? It creates an opportunity for other renewable sources, like wind and solar, to fill the gap and demonstrate their reliability.
4. What are the benefits of utilizing more renewable energy sources? Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, a more sustainable energy supply, and economic growth in the renewable energy sector are key benefits.
5. Is Brazil still reliant on fossil fuels? While renewable energy is increasing, Brazil still utilizes other energy sources, but the trend is shifting towards greater renewable energy dependency.

Share your thoughts on Brazil’s renewable energy progress in the comments below!

What factors have contributed to the decline in costs of wind and solar technologies in Brazil?

the Rise of Renewable Energy in Brazil

Brazil has cemented its position as a global leader in renewable energy, recently surpassing a significant milestone: wind and solar power now contribute over one-third of the nation’s total electricity supply.This achievement, highlighted in recent reports from Ember https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/brazil-rises-as-g20-renewables-powerhouse/, demonstrates a remarkable shift in the country’s energy matrix and offers valuable lessons for other nations transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The growth in solar energy Brazil and wind power Brazil is notably noteworthy.

key Drivers Behind Brazil’s Renewable Success

Several factors have converged to propel Brazil’s renewable energy revolution. these include:

* Favorable Geography: Brazil boasts exceptional natural resources for both wind and solar energy generation. The Northeast region is renowned for its consistent winds, while the Southeast and Center-West regions receive abundant sunshine.

* Government Policies: Supportive government policies, including auctions for renewable energy projects and incentives for private investment, have played a crucial role. These policies have fostered a stable and predictable market for renewable energy investment in Brazil.

* Growing Electricity Demand: Despite the increasing adoption of renewables, Brazil has successfully met its rapidly growing electricity demand – a testament to the scalability of these technologies. This demand is fueled by economic growth and increasing urbanization.

* Declining Costs: The cost of wind and solar technologies has plummeted in recent years,making them increasingly competitive wiht traditional fossil fuels. this cost reduction has spurred further investment and deployment.

* Hydropower’s Role: While historically reliant on hydropower, Brazil’s diversification into wind and solar has reduced its vulnerability to droughts and climate change impacts on water resources.

breakdown of Wind and Solar Contributions

Currently, wind energy accounts for approximately 14% of Brazil’s electricity generation, while solar power contributes around 9%. Combined, they exceed one-third, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s energy transition.

Here’s a closer look:

* Wind Energy: Installed wind capacity has grown exponentially, particularly in the Northeast. Large-scale wind farms are now a common sight, generating significant amounts of clean electricity.

* Solar Energy: Solar power is experiencing even faster growth, driven by both large-scale solar farms and distributed generation (rooftop solar panels). Distributed solar generation Brazil is becoming increasingly popular among businesses and homeowners.

* Regional Variations: The distribution of wind and solar capacity varies across the country.The South and Southeast regions are seeing increased solar installations, while the Northeast remains the dominant force in wind energy.

Benefits of Brazil’s Renewable Energy Transition

The shift towards wind and solar power offers a multitude of benefits for Brazil:

* Reduced Carbon Emissions: Replacing fossil fuels with renewables significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions,contributing to Brazil’s climate change commitments.

* Improved Air Quality: Renewable energy sources do not produce harmful air pollutants,leading to improved public health.

* Energy Security: Diversifying the energy mix reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security.

* Job Creation: The renewable energy sector is creating new jobs in manufacturing,installation,maintainance,and research.

* Economic Growth: Investment in renewable energy projects stimulates economic growth and attracts foreign capital.

Case Study: The Alto Sertão I Wind Complex

The Alto Sertão I Wind complex in bahia state serves as a prime example of Brazil’s triumphant wind energy development.With a capacity of over 700 MW, its one of the largest wind farms in Latin America.The project demonstrates the viability of large-scale wind power generation in Brazil and its contribution to the national grid. It also highlights the potential for wind farm development Brazil.

Future Outlook and Challenges

Brazil is poised to continue its renewable energy expansion. The government has set ambitious targets for increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix.However,challenges remain:

* Grid Infrastructure: Upgrading and expanding the transmission grid is crucial to accommodate the increasing influx of renewable energy.

* Storage Solutions: Developing energy storage solutions, such as batteries, is essential to address the intermittency of wind and solar power.

* Regulatory Framework: Maintaining a stable and predictable regulatory framework is vital to attract continued investment.

* Environmental Considerations: Careful planning and environmental impact assessments are necessary to minimize the environmental footprint of renewable energy projects.

Resources for Further Information

* Ember: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/brazil-rises-as-g20-renewables-powerhouse/

* Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEólica): https://abeeolica.org.br/

* Brazilian Solar photovoltaic Association (ABSOLAR