Legal certainty and environmental licenses are key to unlocking the potential of datacenters and BESS in Rio Grande do Norte, boosting the economy and attracting technology investments.
Rio Grande do Norte, already recognized for its robust clean energy matrix, is positioning itself as a strategic hub for the development of cutting-edge technologies.
The focus is now shifting towards attracting significant investments in datacenters and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), projects that demand a secure and regulated business environment.
Achieving this goal requires overcoming legal and environmental barriers, a challenge the state is determined to conquer.
In this scenario, Dr. Kepler Brito, Counselor of OAB/RN (Brazilian Bar Association / Rio Grande do Norte Section) and Rapporteur for the Datacenters topic in the state, plays a crucial role.
In an in-depth analysis, he details how the recent CONEMA Resolution 01/2026 simplifies environmental licensing processes for BESS, while advocating for the urgent need for a specific framework for datacenters.
The goal is to ensure legal certainty and maximize socioeconomic returns for the local population, transforming energy potential into prosperity.
Unlocking Potential: Legal Certainty and Innovation
The installation of any activity with potential environmental impact requires a well-defined licensing process.
In Rio Grande do Norte, the scenario for installing renewable energy projects is already favorable.
What is now sought is to consolidate legal certainty, a fundamental pillar for large-scale projects to advance with confidence.
This regulatory stability is essential to attract investments that will drive the state’s economic development.
The challenge of integrating the state’s vast clean energy matrix with the growing demand for digital infrastructure from Artificial Intelligence is promising.
Dr. Kepler Brito identifies the absence of a specific legal framework for datacenters as the main bottleneck.
The creation of this regulation, aligned with RN‘s abundant energy resources, can not only attract these ventures but also generate a positive flow of taxes and boost the demand for a skilled workforce.
BESS and CONEMA Resolution 01/2026: A Milestone for Energy Storage
CONEMA Resolution 01/2026, promulgated on April 30, 2026, represents a significant advancement for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects in Rio Grande do Norte.
By classifying the activity as having medium polluting potential, the resolution simplifies licensing.
Projects up to 500 MWh will require Simplified Environmental Reports (RAS), while cases between 10 MWh and 500 MWh will demand a more concise study.
Projects up to 10 MWh will be exempt from licensing, providing a strong incentive for the implementation of these projects.
Dr. Kepler Brito stated:
RN issued CONEMA Resolution 01/2026 on April 30, 2026, which regulates the classification of these activities in the State. Given the classification of the activity’s medium polluting potential, studies are limited to Simplified Environmental Reports (RAS) for projects above 500 MWh, and Environmental Assessment Reports, a simpler study, for cases between 10 MWh and 500 MWh. Furthermore, projects below 10 MWh will be exempt from licensing, thereby encouraging the execution of these projects.
This measure is crucial to mitigate the problem of energy outflow and grid instability, especially in the Northeast region.
The clarity and incentives offered by the new resolution provide the necessary security for investors to inject capital into BESS projects, strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure.
RN: From Electron Exporter to High-Tech Industrial Hub
Rio Grande do Norte holds the potential to go beyond merely exporting clean energy.
The combination of affordable energy, the attraction of datacenters, the robustness of storage systems, and the consolidation of legal certainty can position the state as a high-tech industrial hub.
This synergy promises not only an increase in tax revenue but also the assurance of national energy security, with the implementation of specific royalties for these businesses.
Dr. Kepler Brito highlighted:
The renewables sector is thriving in RN. We have the necessary physical conditions to maintain leadership in this segment. It is up to everyone’s efforts to ensure we can transform these ventures into direct returns for the population, through job creation and training. By combining development with an improved quality of life for people, we can further boost other businesses.
For investors and developers, Rio Grande do Norte‘s legal and institutional ecosystem is committed to providing a stable and conducive environment for new energy and technology businesses.
The central objective is to transform these resources into direct benefits for the population, through job creation and training.
This strategic move will not only leverage development but also enhance the quality of life for citizens.
To deepen understanding of the role of Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, and the potential of the Northeast in expanding digital infrastructure, the Data Center Market event, to be held at the FIERN headquarters (Natal/RN) on October 23, will be an unmissable opportunity.
