Approval of the bilateral agreement with Bolivia is critical for the 2027 energy auction.
The viability of electrical infrastructure projects planned for Lot 11 of the first transmission auction of 2027 is at risk. The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) has issued a warning regarding the need for the National Congress to approve an international agreement with Bolivia. The expectation is that this approval will occur by November 2026, ensuring these projects remain in the auction.
The agreement aims to strengthen electrical infrastructure in Mato Grosso do Sul and establish a connection with the Bolivian grid. Director Agnes da Costa, the rapporteur of the process at Aneel, sent an official letter to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) emphasizing the urgency of the measures. The lack of a legislative decision on the authorization could compromise legal certainty and the auction’s schedule, with the imminent risk of excluding the planned facilities.
The public consultation on the auction notice is open until October 26. A bilateral agreement regarding the interconnection was signed between Brazil and Bolivia in March of this year and subsequently submitted to the National Congress in July, where it currently awaits processing. Aneel has requested that the MME keep the agency informed about progress toward approval and its conclusion in the Legislative Branch.
The agency considers approval by November 2026 essential to move forward with the auction’s preparation, consolidate the necessary documentation, and ensure legal certainty before submitting the process to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). The letter also inquires about any possibility of a waiver for legislative approval or any other measures currently being taken.
Lot 11 covers essential works for the Mato Grosso do Sul electrical system, including the creation of a transmission line between the Corumbá 2 substation and the border. Equipment will be installed in Corumbá to convert energy and enable interconnection between the two countries’ power systems, which operate at different frequencies. Additionally, the project includes the installation of equipment to increase capacity and optimize transmission performance in the region.
