Brazil's Tocantins lobbies for new renewable energy investments

The Tocantins state government has increased its lobbying efforts with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to push for new renewable investments in the state, especially in the solar power sector.

Deputy governor Claudia Lellis is continuing talks with the ministry for permission to install solar power generation as well as increase the state transmission capacity.

The dialogue began after state-owned energy research firm EPE did not allowed projects located in Tocantins to be submitted at the November 13 energy auction. EPE claims the state does not have a way to export the energy of such projects since its transmission lines are overwhelmed.

In response, the governor argued that Tocantins has the best conditions in the country for solar power while transmission infrastructure is not a responsibility of the state government.

At present, Tocantins has two big solar projects.

Sandylon Investments has poured BRL 450 million (USD 118.6m/EUR 110.5m) into the development of a 60-MW to 90-MW solar farm while local firm Lica Energias Renovaveis, has chanelled a USD-740-million investment into three solar parks with a combined capacity of 612 MWp.

(BRL 1 = USD 0.264/EUR 0.245)

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