Eletrobras branch in the Amazon region, the Eletronorte will invest R$5.2 billion in new transmission blocks that cross Ceará and generate 4.1 thousand jobs in the Ceará market. The expectation is that the work on these projects will greatly boost the state’s economy, which will be one of the main beneficiaries of the implementation of three of the four lots acquired by the company in the sector’s most recent auction.
The biggest winner of the competition, Eletronorte won 4 of the 15 lots that were offered by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel). These were blocks 1, 3, 5 and 9 – the only one without developments in Ceará. The auction, held at the end of March, was the first in the broadcast area in 2024.
Last week, the president of Eletrobras, Ivan Monteiro, met with governor Camilo Santana, aiming to initiate institutional articulations around these projects.
The lots that cross the state total 1,991 km, 11 transmission lines and four power substations. Operations should begin by the end of 2029.
“Eletrobras is fully aware of its responsibility in the growth of Ceará’s infrastructure, which will attract companies and boost the state’s economy”, says Ivan Monteiro.
Why is Eletronorte investing in CE?
After the national blackout recorded in August last year, Aneel has been speeding up LT auctions, as the incident would have started with a breakdown that overloaded transmission in the Northeast.
The final report from the National Electric System Operator (ONS) pointed out as the cause of the problem a failure in the performance of wind and solar farm equipment, located close to the Quixadá – Fortaleza II transmission line, in Ceará.
Since then, the auctions have been largely focused on attracting new LTs in the northeastern states, with the aim of guaranteeing the necessary infrastructure for the transport of electricity, given the unprecedented growth of renewable energy generation in the region.
Considered the country’s new energy frontier, the region has intensified the production of clean energy and attracted new investments in this segment, at an impressive pace. This demands a more robust transmission infrastructure, in order to guarantee security for the regional and national system.
In this aspect, northeastern states that are among the largest wind and solar producers in Brazil, such as Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Ceará (with 40 wind and 35 solar plants already in operation) and Piauí, have received priority treatment from Aneel, which is seen as a great business opportunity by players in the sector.
In case of Ceará, in addition to the expansion of generation, there is another factor that piques the interests of companies operating in transmission: the project of a green hydrogen hub in the Port of Pecém.
The objective of the companies – multinational and Brazilian, it is worth highlighting – involved in the venture and the state government is for the cluster to be the pioneer in H2V production in the country and lead this chain in Brazil.
The hub was designed to operate in the global and domestic market, as this fuel is considered one of those with the greatest potential to accelerate the decarbonization of the global economy. If made viable, the hub will intensively consume 100% clean electricity to separate water molecules, in the manufacture of green hydrogen.
“The development of H2V in Ceará will only be possible with the arrival of transmission lines”, says governor Elmano de Freitas.
Eletronorte: discover the batches of new LT that cut the CE
LOT 1
- Investment: R$ 1.7 billion
- Enterprises: 4 LTs and 2 substations
- States: CE and PI
- Municipalities benefited in CE: Quixadá, Crateús, Ibiapina and Tianguá
- Extension: 538 km
- Operation: 2029
LOT 3
- Investment: R$983 million
- Enterprises: 4 LTs and 1 substation
- state: EC
- Municipalities benefited: Morada Nova, Banabuiú, Pacatuba, Russas, Quixadá, São Gonçalo do Amarante and Fortaleza
- Extension: 337 km
- Operation: 2029
LOT 5
- Investment: R$ 2.6 billion
- Enterprises: 3 LTs and 1 substation
- States: PI, CE, PB, PE, AL and BA
- Municipalities benefited in CE: Abaiara, Milagres and Crato
- Extension: 1,116 km
- Operation: 2029
Read more about Eletronorte:
Eletrobras injects R$883 million into Chesf, Furnas and Eletronorte, for sustainability projects
Auction awards energy transmission projects in 14 states
