Governors are intensifying pressure on the federal government to include natural gas in the Redata program, creating a strategic stalemate between ministries over the future of energy transition.
The global race for digital infrastructure has placed Brazil before a new regulatory dilemma. Governors from different regions have joined forces to ensure that natural gas is officially recognized as a low-emission source in Redata, the ambitious federal program aimed at attracting data centers.
This coordination gained maximum momentum through joint efforts directed at the Palácio do Planalto. The main objective of the state governments is to ensure that the regulatory framework respects regional particularities and guarantees equal competitiveness in the race for high-impact technological investments.
Forum of secretaries and state governments demand dialogue with Lula
The National Forum of State Secretaries of Mines and Energy has formalized a direct request to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to open a channel for dialogue before the final decree is signed. States such as Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Amazonas, and Sergipe have already sent official letters with the same demand, highlighting a broad front in defense of the transitional fossil fuel.
The discussion gained legal traction following a subtle amendment during the legislative process. The original text approved by the Federal Senate prioritized renewable and clean matrices, but an amendment replaced the term “clean” with “low-emission,” opening the regulatory loophole that now divides the upper echelons of the Republic.
The government split and market outlook
Inside the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the tension is palpable. The Ministry of Finance advocates for the exclusion of the input to keep a strict focus on purely renewable sources, while the Ministry of Mines and Energy, led by Alexandre Silveira, is actively working for the inclusion of the energy source in the incentive policy.
On the business side, opinions are divided according to each player’s strategy. The CEO of Elea Data Centers, Alessandro Lombardi, views the input primarily as a backup for electrical grid failures, although he prefers exclusive subsidies for green energy. In contrast, executives such as Rogério Zampronha, from Prumo Logística, advocate for the broad recognition of the source to unlock multi-million dollar projects at the Port of Açu.
While the regulatory decree awaits signature, the energy sector is bracing for the outcomes of this dispute. The federal government’s decision on Redata will define not only the profile of future data processing centers in the country, but also the pace of investments in clean energy and infrastructure in the coming years.
RELATED NEWS
ANP Director Defends Natural Gas Agenda and Criticizes Political Pressure
READ MORE
Abraget defends natural gas for data centers in Redata decree and criticizes Ministry of Finance
READ MORE
Elea highlights renewables as a Brazilian differentiator for data centers despite natural gas in Redata
READ MORE