It was wonderful how the important people we met
today, made time for us to inform us about the plans that the Secretary of
Energy and Mining in Sao Paulo has for the future. As
João Carlos Meirelles, the Secretary of Energy for the State of São Paulo
introduced himself; he said something really interesting that caught my
attention. It is important for young people like us to care and be aware of the
benefits the use of renewable energy brings. I have felt many times, that young
people are often ignored and not taken into account. However, this was not the
case, this authentic experience started with being taken to a fancy conference room containing folders,
plaques with our name and cold water. It was an honor for the members of the
office to consider us and answer our questions.
I have never had experiences related to the
energy sector, which is why this visit allowed me to understand the importance
government bodies play in the transition to alternative energy in Brazil. The
presentation grasped my attention; it showed statistics and information I don’t
think it can be easily found, which is why I feel lucky I was part of it. As I
have learned in my previous emerging markets courses, Brazil has already
started a transition towards the development of renewable energy, which was
mentioned in the presentation today. However, this shift, from non- renewable
sources to alternative energy, is ensured with the use of natural gas as a raw
material.
Sub secretary, Antonio
Celso de Abreu Jr, summarized how wind power, sugarcane production and
solar energy are the highest in the winter, and hydroelectricity is the highest
in the summer. He talked about the forecasts for 2020 for biomass and
hydroelectricity in the state of São Paulo, and how this renewables are expected
to increase to 46% and 18% respectively. Another interesting fact explained was
that the largest energy potential for São Paulo lays in the conversion of
sugarcane into biomass energy. Brazil is already a leader in
alternative energy holding 41.2 percent in renewables as of 2015.
Brazil, and São Paulo is on the process of becoming energy
independent, as well as São Paulo, which predicts to expand its
renewables from 58 percent on 2015 to 70 percent by 2020. By the end of the
presentation I was able to further comprehend the role of the Secretary
of Energy for the State of São Paulo in encouraging the development of
renewable energy in the energy matrix of the State.
This educational and unique visit is an
experience I will never forget, not many people have had this opportunity, for
which I feel really lucky I made the most of it. Hopefully, the members in the office
found our group interesting and curious, so that other Northeastern students
can also receive this remarkable experience in the future.
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