Brazil plans to reach 7.2 GW of battery storage capacity (BESS) by 2036 , according to official projections included in the new Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan (PDE 2036), prepared by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Energy Research Company (EPE).
The document, presented on October 8 and submitted for public consultation, identifies storage as one of the technologies needed to support the growth of renewable generation and respond to the new operational demands of the Brazilian electricity system.
In addition to the 7.2 GW of batteries, the reference scenario incorporates 2 GW of reversible hydroelectric plants and 4 GW of demand response resources , alternatives that would allow managing generation variations and adapting consumption to system conditions.
The inclusion of reversible power plants represents a novelty in the country's energy planning, as this technology appears for the first time within the indicative expansion of the PDE.
Unlike BESS systems, which allow electricity to be stored and quickly delivered to the grid, pumped-storage hydroelectric plants use water pumped between reservoirs at different elevations to store energy. Demand response mechanisms, on the other hand, allow consumption patterns to be modified according to operational needs and economic signals.
These alternatives become relevant in a scenario of greater solar and wind participation, in which the availability of generation does not necessarily coincide with periods of higher demand.
More renewables and greater demands on the grid
According to official estimates, solar and wind power generation will account for approximately one-third of Brazil's electricity production in 2036, compared to the 28.1% projected for 2026.
In parallel, the share of renewable sources in the electricity mix would remain close to 90% , consolidating a system with a high penetration of clean technologies.
However, the advancement of variable energy sources poses new challenges for electricity management, especially in relation to storage capacity, power availability, and coordination between generation and consumption.
The PDE 2036 also projects an annual growth of 3.4% in electricity consumption, which would reach 979 TWh at the end of the period.
To meet that demand and maintain operational safety conditions, electricity generation would increase from 829 TWh in 2026 to 1133 TWh in 2036.
This growth will be accompanied by new infrastructure needs. According to the plan, Brazil will require the addition of 31,900 kilometers of transmission lines and an expansion of 99,600 MVA of transformation capacity between 2026 and 2036.
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The expansion of the networks will be crucial to support the incorporation of renewable sources, serve new consumption centers, and improve the system's responsiveness to variations in supply and demand.
Brazil prepares its first storage auctions
The publication of the PDE 2036 coincides with preparations for the first Brazilian tenders for capacity reservation through battery storage systems, scheduled for December 2 and 4, 2026.
The processes will be divided into two modalities. The first will be for projects that meet the requirements of national manufacturing, while the second will allow systems without that requirement to participate.
According to the guidelines established by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the projects must have a minimum power of 30 MW and a discharge capacity for four hours, in addition to complying with the technical requirements for connection and operation of the National Interconnected System (SIN).
The contracts will have a duration of 15 years, with supply starting on August 1, 2028, and will remunerate the availability of power to meet the operational needs of the system.
Although the volumes awarded in these calls do not equal the 7.2 GW projection of the PDE 2036, both instruments reflect the growing incorporation of storage in Brazilian electricity planning.
Energy investments and next steps
The new plan also includes a significant increase in distributed generation . Installed micro and mini distributed generation capacity would increase from approximately 50 GW in 2026 to 92 GW in 2036.
This transformation will be complemented by new sources of demand, including electromobility, industrial electrification, and data centers.
In particular, electricity consumption associated with data centers could increase tenfold over the next decade, from 3 TWh in 2026 to 30 TWh in 2036.
To support the expansion and modernization of the energy infrastructure, the PDE estimates total investments of approximately R$ 3.3 trillion between 2027 and 2036, considering the different segments of the sector.
However, the planned storage capacities are part of an indicative planning scenario, and therefore do not represent firm contracts or commitments.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy opened Public Consultation No. 235, through which companies, institutions and other actors can submit observations on the report until November 6, 2026.
Subsequently, the contributions will be evaluated by the MME and the EPE for the preparation of the final version of the document, which will serve as a reference for energy expansion decisions for the next ten years.