Brazil Adds 1.28 GW of New Capacity in Early 2026, Solar Power Dominates Expansion

Between January and February 2026, Brazil’s regulated power generation capacity increased by 1.286 GW, primarily due to the entry into commercial operation of 29 centralized generation plants. Photovoltaic solar projects accounted for 25 of these new plants, contributing the majority of added capacity. In February alone, 16 projects were commissioned, including 14 solar PV plants totaling 677 MW, a wind farm of 59 MW, and a small hydro plant of 7 MW. The states leading this expansion were Rio Grande do Norte with 640 MW from 13 plants, Minas Gerais with 96 MW from two projects, and Paraná adding 7 MW from a small hydro facility. Over the first two months, new plants were distributed across seven states spanning all five Brazilian regions, reflecting broad geographic diversification in renewable deployment.

Brazil’s total installed power generation stands at approximately 217.9 GW as of early March 2026, with 84.73% sourced from renewables, including hydroelectric, solar, wind, and biomass. The solar photovoltaic segment has emerged as a key driver in the ongoing expansion of the energy matrix, supported by both centralized plants and distributed generation. In 2025, Brazil added 7.4 GW of new capacity, and projections for 2026 estimate an additional 9.1 GW, marking a 23.4% increase year-over-year.

Concurrently, Brazil is modernizing its transmission grid access through the establishment of the National Transmission Access Policy (PNAST). This policy introduces “Access Seasons,” replacing the previous queue system for grid connection requests with a batch evaluation based on technical and competitive criteria. The initiative aims to optimize grid usage, enhance predictability for investors, and improve system planning by the Energy Research Company (EPE). Special provisions in the policy expedite grid connections for large industrial loads, including emerging green hydrogen plants and data centers, signaling a strategic alignment of infrastructure development with Brazil’s green industrialization goals. The operational integrity and coordination of the vast National Interconnected System (SIN) remain managed by the National Electric System Operator (ONS), ensuring system reliability despite increasing renewable penetrations.