EPE Paves the Way for Pumped Storage Plants with Pioneering Public Call
The Energy Research Company (EPE) is poised to take a significant step in planning Brazil’s energy future. In October, an unprecedented public call will be launched, focusing on mapping pumped storage hydropower (PSH) projects across the country. The goal is to gather crucial information to structure a future energy storage services auction, an increasingly vital component for the stability of the National Interconnected System (SIN).
This initiative arises as a direct response to Law No. 15,269/2025, which drove the reform of the electricity sector, and to the directive from the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), which delegated to EPE the task of planning and designing this new contracting modality. The public call will function as a market intelligence tool, allowing the state-owned company to gauge existing and future supply.
Mapping Projects and Market Intelligence
The first phase of the work will involve registering PSH projects that are under development or evaluation in Brazil. EPE will use the collected data to understand the maturity level of these projects, their technical specifications, estimated costs, and implementation timelines.
It is important to note that this procedure is consultative and informational. The strategic information provided by developers will be treated with absolute confidentiality and does not constitute qualification or pre-qualification for the future auction.
Moving Towards Auction Structuring
In subsequent stages, EPE will intensify collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). The focus will be on updating cost databases, economic-financial parameters, and in-depth analysis of socio-environmental impacts.
The inclusion of pumped storage hydropower plants within the scope of the Special Environmental License (LAE) aims to increase predictability and legal certainty for investors.
The main goal is to integrate energy sources that offer flexibility into the system, which are essential given the growing percentage of intermittent renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.
PSH plants, with their capacity to store energy in reservoirs at different levels, are fundamental to ensuring the stability and reliability of electricity supply.
The call for projects therefore represents a fundamental step towards building a robust contracting model, which will define the technical, economic, and regulatory parameters necessary for the future auction.
The integration of storage resources is a pillar for the decarbonization of Brazil’s electricity matrix, and pumped storage plants play a crucial role in this transition.
Commented an industry expert.
