Opinion - Brazil, an Energy superpower?

04/17/2015 - 08h57

At the height of "brasilmania", just five years ago, the country was seen as a candidate for energy superpower.

Understandable enthusiasm. Pre-salt treasures forecasted that Brazil would extract 6 million barrels/day by 2022. We would jump from No. 13 to No. 4 position among the largest oil producers.

Rich water reserves encourage hydropower. Pioneer in alternative energy, particularly biofuel, the country has flex engines in 8 of every 10 automobiles. Huge wind and photovoltaic heritages.

Today, Brazilian energy performance disappoints. As in so many aspects of national life, the problem is not potentiality - but management and strategy.

In the last decade, the country has had the whole condition of strengthening its energy infrastructure. The wind of expansion of global demand for commodities was favourable. Also regarding energy, Brazil did not take "good times to implement good policies".

Seasonal criteria always affect everyone. There must be, however, a clear division between meteorology, political administration and energy security.
Among the Brics, economic situation and strategy around energy intertwine in a challenging way.

Russia is still the largest oil and gas producer.

The Chinese are increasingly working on multiple energy types to its huge industrial park. They "cloned" Brazilian experiences of hydroelectric power plants construction. They currently are the biggest importers of oil from the Middle East and also the world's largest investors in solar and wind power.

India benefits immensely from the cheap oil – one of the reasons for the excitement that the country promotes on international markets.

All these examples had special policies for the supply and use of energy inputs. In all of them, the industry was the backbone of its economic growth. You can conclude that energy policy focused on harmonizing the country's international competitiveness is industrialization's twin sister.

As far as energy is concerned, mistakes in planning and implementation stop our super potentiality from making us a superpower.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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