Under the background of energy saving and carbon emission reduction, the water-energy nexus has also become a major concern around the globe. In relation to the global energy system, Brazil occupies a singular position. A major portion of the Brazilian occupancies has access to electricity and the energy system expansion that, at first, possesses adequate means for supporting a rapidly-growing economy through energy resources may experience some turnovers. Brazil's early determination to press ahead with alternatives to fossil fuels was a natural choice, given its large hydropower potential and land agricultural base. On the other hand, the water-energy-food security issues must be considered because it is estimated that around 70% of the water consumed in Brazil is related to the agriculture. Energy has long been required in different agricultural activities, either through consumption of fossil fuels or electricity generated by hydropower. In the transportation sector, since the 1970s oil crisis, Brazil has developed its energy matrix towards an important rate of sugarcane ethanol contribution and, more recently, the use of biodiesel. In spite the fact that those fuels are low carbon emitter, biofuels may probably not be an affordable alternative when we think about land use, food security and the water footprint. In this way, taking into account the recent advances in the exploration of oil from the Pre-Salt (estimated to be 9-15 million barrels) and the discovery of shale gas/oil wells up to 245 tcf, together to the unfavorable social and environmental issues associated to the biofuels, the Brazilian energy matrix will be probably turn back to the fossil fuels again. These represent challenges to the Brazilian policymakers and how they will be solved ahead will have implications not only for Brazil but also to the world at large.

Energy trends and the water-energy binomium for Brazil

248th National Meeting (2014)

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