Who pays for utility-scale batteries for Brazil’s grid?
Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) has opened a consultation on allocating the cost of contracting utility-scale batteries for the power system.
In 2026, Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica, ANEEL) opened Public Consultation No. 37/2026 on allocating the cost of contracting battery storage systems for the National Interconnected System (SIN).
Which batteries are under discussion?
These are new, utility-scale storage systems connected to the electric grid. Brazil’s 2026 capacity reserve auctions are expected to contract projects that begin operating from 2028. They are not residential batteries.
The systems store energy and can make power available to the SIN when needed. This flexibility can help balance the grid and integrate renewable sources whose output varies with weather conditions.
What costs are being allocated?
The consultation addresses the cost of contracting this available capacity and how to allocate it. In simple terms, it is the cost of contracting systems so they can supply power to the SIN when needed—not a charge for consumers to buy batteries.
Law No. 15,269/2025 provides that costs arising from battery storage capacity contracts are allocated only among generation agents. ANEEL is consulting on the calculation method for this charge, known as ERCAP-SAE. The final amount and criteria have not been set. The proposal also excludes distributed micro and mini generation and stand-alone storage from the allocation base.
Where will the projects be located?
The winning projects and their locations have not been determined. EPE and ONS have mapped grid connection points and available capacity; the projects contracted and their locations depend on the auction process.
Comments can be submitted through November 6, 2026. We follow these changes to connect projects, capital, and business in the energy sector. Talk to our team.