Petrobras secures greater flexibility for Brazil’s electricity supply with a new ANP authorization to import LNG, targeting thermal power plants.
Petrobras has obtained a critical new authorization from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) for the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This measure reinforces the state-owned company’s strategy to ensure the stability of Brazil’s energy supply, with a specific focus on the flexible operation of its thermal power plants. The approval, published in the Official Federal Gazette (DOU) on September 2, grants the company the right to import a significant volume of the fuel into the country.
The most relevant aspect of this decision lies in Petrobras’ capacity to supplement domestic gas sources, adding a layer of security to the national electrical grid. In an energy transition scenario, the flexibility provided by LNG is essential to balance the intermittency of other sources, such as renewables.
Supply Strategy for Thermal Power Plants
The volume approved by the ANP for Petrobras is 24.3 million m³ per year of LNG, which translates to approximately 40 million m³ per day of natural gas. According to the state-owned company, this supply primarily aims to meet the demand of thermal power plants, which require an agile fuel supply that can adapt to system fluctuations, while also complementing domestic gas and imports from Bolivia.
The strategic locations for the arrival of this LNG are the Guanabara Bay LNG Terminal in Rio de Janeiro and the Bahia LNG Terminal in Salvador. Both terminals are operated by Petrobras itself, ensuring efficiency and logistical control of the supply chain.
Diversification of Gas Sources
The new ANP authorization adds to an already robust portfolio of supply options held by Petrobras. The company already held a previous license for LNG imports in higher volumes, totaling 30.4 million m³ per year, valid until the end of 2026. Furthermore, the company maintains agreements to import up to 20 million m³ per day of natural gas from Bolivia, valid through 2027, as well as an impressive authorization for up to 180 million m³ per day of gas from Argentina, valid until November 2027.
This landscape demonstrates the company’s continuous effort to diversify its natural gas origins, mitigating supply shortage risks and ensuring the resilience of energy infrastructure.
Ana Paula Mendes, a senior consultant in clean energy, stated:
The flexibility granted to Petrobras with LNG is a smart move for Brazil’s energy landscape. Natural gas, even as a transition source, provides the necessary agility to stabilize the grid in a system increasingly dependent on intermittent sources.
Expanding Market Scenario
In a parallel development that highlights the growing dynamics of the country’s gas market, Delta Comercializadora also received approval from the ANP to import LNG. Sourced from countries such as the United States and Argentina, the company will be able to bring in up to 3.5 million m³ per day, intended to serve free consumers and distribution companies. This volume will be delivered to regasification terminals located in the Northeast region, signaling greater market openness and competitiveness in the sector.
The expansion of LNG imports, both by Petrobras and other market agents, is a clear indicator of the rising demand for natural gas and the strategic importance of this commodity for the energy matrix, especially for supporting renewable energy.
The new authorization for Petrobras underscores Brazil’s continued reliance on LNG to ensure the security and flexibility of its energy supply. With robust volumes and a diversification of sources, the state-owned company is positioned to meet the needs of the electricity sector, particularly thermal power plants, which play a vital role in stabilizing the grid.
The future of the natural gas market in Brazil points toward a greater share of LNG, complementing domestic production and pipeline imports, while boosting the resilience of the energy system.