Brazil's energy ministry opens consultation on draft transmission plan guidelines

BRASILIA, Oct 29 — Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on Oct 29 opened a public consultation on a draft normative ordinance setting guidelines for the Electric Power Transmission Grants Plan (POTEE), a proposal that would replace and revoke Ordinance MME No. 215/2020.

The ministry said the proposal aims to make the POTEE process more predictable and transparent, from planning studies to the granting of transmission facilities. The draft creates a permanent public registry of qualified developers. It also formalises the possibility of extraordinary issuances of the plan, in addition to the annual ordinary issuance, with 10 days of prior consultation with concessionaires. Under the draft, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) would classify equipment and facilities in authorisation and auction decisions.

The draft sets study schedule submissions by Dec. 15, with approval by Jan. 15, and a review of the guidelines within four years. Interested parties have until Nov. 30 to send contributions through the MME's Public Consultations Portal and the Brasil Participativo platform.