Country insight – Brazil

Fast facts

At a glance

• Primary energy consumption returned to pre-pandemic levels (12.57 EJ).
• The combined share of energy consumption from oil, gas and coal stood at 53%, similar to its pre-pandemic level.
• Natural gas was the fastest-growing fuel, increasing 29% above its 2020 level.
• The share of coal in primary energy was 5.7%, compared to 24% at a global level.
• Natural gas consumption increased to 40 bcm (a 29% increase). The share of natural gas in primary energy increased from 9.4% in 2020 to 11.6% in 2021.
• Natural gas production was similar to 2020, 24 bcm, still below the peak of 27 bcm in 2017. LNG imports increased by 204% to 10.1 bcm, with the US providing the largest share (86%).
• Fossil fuel (natural gas, oil, and coal)-fired electricity generation increased by 48.6 TWh in 2021.
• Renewables in primary energy grew by 10%, but their share of primary energy increased only from 18.2% to 19% (2020-2021).
• Brazil installed 5.2 GW of solar capacity and 4 GW of wind capacity. The total installed capacity at the end of 2021 amounts to 13.1 GW of solar capacity and 21.1 GW of wind capacity.
• Total electricity generation increased from 621 TWh to 654 TWh, a 5.6% increase.
• Coal’s share in power generation decreased from 3.9% in 2019 to 3.7% in 2021. Renewables generation (excluding hydro) increased from 127 TWh in 2020 to 144 TWh in 2021, representing a 22% share.
• Brazilian biofuels production dropped from 394 to 376 kboe/d, a decrease of 4.3%; biofuel consumption increased from 390 to 412 kboe/d, a 5.9% increase.
• CO₂ emissions from energy use increased by 12.1% to over 436 Mt, slightly up from its pre-pandemic level (425.1 Mt).