Winning projects in Brazil's distributed generation supply auction totaled R312mn ($58mn) in investments for solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Amazonian states of Para and Amazonas, mines and energy ministry (MME) and power regulator Aneel sAID.
The projects include a 30MW bess system and an 18MW solar power plant in the city of Jacareacanga, in Amazonas, MME said.
"This hired battery solution will be the largest in the country," national energy transition secretary Gustavo Ataide said. "We also had a 50pc discount in the auction, which reflects the sector's competitiveness," he added.
The auction also comprised diesel supplies for thermoelectric plants.
"Our priority is to provide power security while also looking for innovation and sustainability," MME's energy transition director Karina Souza said.
The Amazonian states have over 3mn residents who are not connected to Brazil's power grid because of infrastructure challenges, despite the region having four out of Brazil's five largest hydroelectric plants, according to the government. It relies heavily on regional diesel-powered electric plants to serve remote communities.
Brazil approved earlier this month 14 projects aimed at revamping the power grid in the Amazonian region to lower its reliance on diesel.
The energy sector in the Amazon alone was responsible for 29.6mn t of CO2 emissions in 2023, representing 4.5pc of CO2 emissions in the region, according to greenhouse gases tracking platform SEEG.
