Origem Energia raises concerns regarding the connection of seven natural gas power plants, citing the new transmission access policy as a potential obstacle.
Brazil’s electric power sector faces a potential bottleneck in expanding its generation capacity.
Origem Energia, active in the Polo Alagoas hub, has signaled to the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) a potential delay in the grid connection of seven natural gas thermoelectric power plants.
These projects, winners of the 2026 capacity reserve auction (LRCap 2026), could have their commercial operation dates compromised due to uncertainties in the interpretation of the new National Transmission System Access Policy (Pnast).
The company is seeking clarification on the sequence of documents required for connection, especially following the entry into force of Pnast, which altered the approval workflow.
The core concern lies in the coordination between the plants’ engineering design and the shared transmission infrastructure, which requires approximately BRL 2 billion in investments.
The Critical Connection Point and the New Access Rule
The seven thermal power plants in question—Pilar, Pilar Nova, and Manguaba I through V—total an installed capacity of 477 MW.
They will rely on a unified transmission system, consisting of a step-up substation and a line of approximately 18 kilometers, extending to the Rio Largo II substation, under the responsibility of Axia Energia Nordeste.
Commercial operation start dates are scheduled between October 2028 and August 2029.
The divergence arises with Pnast, established by Decree No. 12,772/2025.
Previously, the access opinion from the National Electric System Operator (ONS) was an initial step for signing use and connection agreements.
Now, the Preliminary Access Diagnosis (DPA) precedes the formalization of these agreements, with the access opinion being issued at a later stage.
Origem Energia argues that this change in the order of procedures has not been fully assimilated by sector agents.
Risk of Deadline Non-Compliance
According to Origem, the partner transmission company has been conditioning the technical analysis of the projects on the prior issuance of the access opinion—a document that, under the new rule, would only be issued in a subsequent phase.
This requirement creates a potential mismatch between the first access season and the completion of the engineering project, putting the fulfillment of the plants’ contractual deadlines at risk.
The company has asked Aneel to confirm that the DPA, issued by the ONS, is sufficient to begin signing the agreements, with the access opinion being released later.
Should Aneel confirm this understanding, Origem requests that the guideline be formally communicated to the transmission company to unblock the process.
Transmission Company’s Stance
In response, Axia Energia stated that the connection process follows current regulations and the Pnast framework.
The company declared that technical information has already been exchanged and that the definition of access conditions depends on the completion of the steps conducted by the ONS and the issuance of the relevant documents.
Axia Energia stated:
Axia operates in compliance with current regulations and the procedures applicable to transmission system access.
The company also reported:
The company maintains dialogue with the agents involved in the connection processes, in accordance with the procedures applicable to the electric power sector.
Regarding the rule, it highlighted:
Regarding the Pnast framework, the company follows the guidelines and rules established by the competent bodies and entities.
And concluded:
Axia has not received a request for the early execution of the CCT based exclusively on the DPA.
The unfolding of this issue is crucial for the country’s energy planning, impacting not only power generation but also medium-term electricity supply security.
Regulatory clarity and collaboration among agents are fundamental to preventing new policies from creating unforeseen obstacles to the sector’s expansion.
