The Energia Forte program is transforming rural electrical infrastructure in Rio Grande do Sul, bringing three-phase networks to 187 municipalities and boosting the productivity of the state’s agribusiness sector.
The development of the agricultural sector in Rio Grande do Sul is undergoing a fundamental infrastructure transformation: the modernization of electricity distribution networks. Through the Energia Forte no Campo program, the State has facilitated the migration from obsolete systems to three-phase networks, ensuring greater stability and power for rural communities. The initiative, consolidated by State Decree No. 55,535, serves as an essential pillar for the sustainability of rural activities.
The initiative’s operational model is based on a strategic partnership between the state government, through SEMA, and the Rural Electrification Cooperatives. While the State provides financial resources—which can cover up to 35% of the total cost of the works in the most recent phases—the cooperatives are responsible for technical execution, transformer installation, and network assembly, strictly adhering to the regulations established by ANEEL.
Structural Impact and Productive Development
The transition to a three-phase network is not just a technical improvement but an economic growth catalyst. With access to higher-quality electricity, rural producers and agribusinesses can operate more robust machinery, automate processes, and expand production capacity. This advancement directly reflects on the quality of life for rural families and the state’s competitiveness on the national stage.
The expansion of these networks allows the state’s rural sector to reach a new level of efficiency, where reliable energy becomes the engine for technological innovation and increased agricultural and industrial productivity.
Significant Numbers and Statewide Reach
To date, the program has accumulated investments of R$ 215.16 million, of which R$ 45.82 million were direct contributions from the state government. The balance sheet for the five phases of Energia Forte accounts for the delivery of 1,342.12 km of new three-phase lines, 920 transformers, and over 13,000 poles installed. The impact covers 187 municipalities, consolidating a cooperation network involving influential entities such as FECOERGS, in addition to key cooperatives like CERILUZ, COPREL, CERTEL, CERMISSÕES, and other regional partners.
Looking ahead, the completion of the fifth phase, which includes the installation of four high-voltage substations (69/138kV), is expected to further strengthen the resilience of the state’s electrical system. With this robust infrastructure, Rio Grande do Sul is strategically positioned to face the challenges of an agribusiness increasingly dependent on clean and stable energy, ensuring that progress indeed reaches all productive regions of the state.
