Brazil’s A-3 and A-4 renewable auctions: Almost 1 GW of projects awarded despite low demand

On 8 July, Brazil’s Chamber of Electric Energy Commercialization (CCEE) held A-3 and A-4 new energy auctions (LEN). These auctions aimed to contract greenfield renewable technologies (wind, solar, small hydro and biomass) through long-term PPAs to supply electricity to the country’s local distribution companies (LDCs). Across all eligible technologies, a total of 28.1 GW competed in the A-3 (supply starting in 2024) and 33.9 GW competed in the A-4 (supply starting in 2025). From the buyers’ side, just three LDCs (out of 55) submitted demand totaling 183.3 MWavg (Light, from Rio de Janeiro, submitted 79% of the auctioned volume). Demand was awarded by technology according to the government’s choice: - Wind represented 38% of awarded volume with 369 MW of projects. - Solar represented 20% of awarded volume with 219 MW of projects. - Biomass represented 23% of awarded volume with 184 MW of projects. - Hydro represented 19% of awarded volume with 112 MW of projects.