For the first time, PDE 2035 incorporated analysis of special loads including electromobility, data centers and hydrogen production through electrolysis. These emerging uses could represent between 1.2% and 12.9% of total demand in 2035 depending on scenario. Data centers alone are projected to more than double their energy share from 1.7% of national consumption in 2024, equivalent to 8.2 TWh, to 3.9% by 2029, according to separate MIT Technology Review Brasil research. The rapid growth stems from expansion in artificial intelligence applications, cloud services and data processing requirements.
Within the National Interconnected System (SIN), average energy demand is projected to reach 115 GW under the base scenario and potentially 138 GW in the upper scenario. Integrated maximum demand could exceed 180 GWh/h, particularly with entry of large hydrogen consumers and data centers. Technical and non-technical losses, currently around 18% of load, are expected to decrease slightly in scenarios with greater economic dynamism and integration of large loads connected to the basic grid.
Self-generation is forecast to represent 11.6% of total consumption in 2025, growing 1.6% annually to reach 92.4 TWh in 2035. Among energy-intensive industries including steel, pulp and petrochemicals, growth of 3% annually is projected. Brazil’s predominantly renewable electricity matrix positions the country competitively for sustainable computing development, though expansion will require continued investment in energy efficiency, infrastructure and clean generation capacity to avoid grid pressure.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
