Renewable energies are gaining ground in Brazil according to a study

In February, only 4,9% of Brazil's grid electricity was produced by fossil fuels, dropping below 5% for the first time since July 2012, says the London-based Ember research center and renewable energy specialist.

If we take into account the entire first quarter, the share of fossil fuels is 5,4%, compared to 10% in the first three months of 2022.

Result: CO2 emissions from the electricity sector fell by 29% over the same period, despite an increase in energy production.

This is due in particular to wind farms and solar panels, which respectively represent 12% and 3% of the electricity production capacity in Brazil.

In this country of continental dimensions and numerous rivers, hydroelectric plants remain the "backbone" of the energy production system, generating 63% of the electricity, explains the author of the study, Matt Ewen .

But the performance of dams has fallen sharply in recent years, while demand continues to increase. In 2021, they were operating at 38% of their maximum capacity, compared to 59% in 2011.

On the other hand, the average annual production of wind energy has increased by 36% since 2011, and by 26% for solar.

These two energy sources combined met 73% of the excess demand this year.

The development of solar and wind "will be crucial if Brazil wants to stop using fossil energy sources in the future", assures Mr. Ewen.

"Their share must increase further to meet the country's demand," he insists.

Brazil, which will chair the G20 in 2024, is the country with the largest share of renewable energy in this group of the world's top twenty economies, producing 89% of the country's electricity in 2022.

The remaining 11% comes from fossil fuels, including natural gas.

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took office in January, has promised to invest in renewable energy and put Brazil back at the center of the fight against climate change.

Under the mandate of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), the international community had strongly criticized the policy of the Brazilian government, faced with the increase in deforestation and fires in the Amazon.