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The Development of Distribuited Generation in Brazil

The spread of the use of  distribuited generation is of main importancee for the input of energy from renewable sources in the energy matrix, as well as for the development of cities whithin a sustainable environment.

In such context, the Brazilian Normative Resolution 482/2012 was the legislative vehicle used for the input of distribuited generation in the Brazilian regulatory framework. As stated in the normative, the small consumers can produce electric energy based on renewable sources of energy (mainly solar photovoltaic) to, therefore, compensate it with its use.

Nevertheless, the cost of the project implementation and the period of depreciation haven’t yet allowed for a mass accession to the system, which led the National Agency of Electric Energy – Aneel (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica) to promote the Public Hearing no. 26/2015, aiming towards the improvement of the legislation.

Among the modifications abided by the Agency, it’s worth mentioning the extension of the deadline (from 36 to 60 months) for the compensation of the credits by the consumers. It is possible to use them to cut down the consumption of units by the same holder located separately from the generation system, as long as it is within the area of the same provider.

The improvement of the Brazilian Normative Resolution 482/2012 also brought the picture of shared generation, through which a number of interested parties can get together in a consortium or co-operative for the installment of a system, aiming towards cutting down on the energy bill. There is also the possibility of installing generation systems in condominiums where the energy can be shared among the tenants in percentages set by the consumers themselves..

Besides, the provider’s connection deadline was reduced and the procedures for the installment were simplified, under the adoption of standard forms for the application.

Alongside this process, the Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy dispached the Decree no. 538/2015, through which he created the Programe for Development of Distribuited Generation of Electric Energy – ProGD (Programa de Desenvolvimento da Geração Distribuída de Energia Elétrica), aiming towards the expansion of the incentive actions for the distribuited generation in Brazil.

According to the 1st Article of the Decree, the Program seeks to encourage the implementation of distribuited generation in public (such as schools, universities and hospitals) and commercial, industrial and residential buildings.

The Annual Specific Reference Values – VRES (Valores Anuais de Referência Específicos) –, which define the remmuneration paid by the distribuitor to the consumer for the energy that the latter delivers to the distrubuition network, were adjusted by the 3rd Article of the Decree mentioned above and have become more appealing. In the same line, a mechanism of monetary update of that value was established, on an annual basis.

In implementing this measures and reducionf the cost of power generating centrals, Aneel estimates that over 1.2 million of brazilian consumers will start producing their own energy, which will be the equivalent to circa 4.5 GW of installed power.

The Development of Distribuited Generation in Brazil – www.fa-legalonine.com