Clean Energy in Focus: Paciência Plant Resumes Activities and New Sources Are Highlighted
Generating units UG1 and UG2 of the Paciência hydroelectric plant, owned by Cemig, are once again able to supply power to the national electric system. Authorization for the resumption of commercial operation was granted by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) after a period of interruption due to severe floods that devastated the state of Minas Gerais.
Heavy rains caused significant flooding at the plant, damaging crucial equipment for its operation. The hydroelectric plant’s powerhouse was inundated, compromising generators, electrical systems, and other vital components.
Cemig reported that water reached approximately 1.2 meters inside, submerging an essential part of the facilities. The expectation is that generating unit UG03, which is undergoing final maintenance, will return to operation in the coming days, completing the plant’s recovery.
Expansion of Bioelectricity and Wind Potential
In parallel, Aneel also authorized the start of commercial operation of generating unit UG1 of the Jacarezinho 2 Thermoelectric Plant (UTE) in Paraná. With an investment of approximately R$ 120 million, this new undertaking doubles the bioelectricity generation capacity of the Jacarezinho plant, increasing it from 25 MW to 50 MW.
The plant is expected to produce between 212,000 and 215,000 MWh annually, with approximately 74% of the energy intended for commercialization. The energy source used is proprietary biomass, derived from sugarcane bagasse.
Another recent highlight in the energy transition is the definition, by the Secretariat of Energy Transition and Planning, of the physical energy guarantee for the Água Doce wind farm in Santa Catarina. The established value was 2.06 average MW, consolidating the potential of wind energy in the region.
The resumption of operations at the Paciência plant represents an important step for energy security after extreme climatic events. Simultaneously, the advancement in bioelectricity and wind energy projects signals the continuous diversification of Brazil’s energy matrix, aligned with sustainability goals and the pursuit of clean energy sources.