From September 30 to October 4, Foz do Iguaçu will be the center of global attention as it hosts the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting. The city in Paraná is the only non-capital in Brazil to host meetings of the economic bloc, which includes the world’s major economies. The gathering will bring together energy ministers, leaders, and experts from around the globe to discuss and promote energy transition policies, a vital issue for the future of humanity.
Itaipu Binacional will play a central role in the event. The company, already a leading example of clean and renewable energy and successful international partnership, is the main supporter of the meeting in Foz do Iguaçu. The Federal Government will, in turn, reinforce its commitment to promoting renewable energies and clean technologies, highlighting initiatives and policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the economy.
International cooperation will be one of the pillars of the discussions. Brazil has stood out in strategic partnerships with various countries to promote renewable energies. Examples include collaboration with Germany in the development of solar, wind, and biogas technologies (the latter also with Austria), and with China and India in research and development of biofuels.
These partnerships not only enhance Brazil’s technological capacity but also contribute to strengthening a more sustainable global market. ‘Brazil is fertile ground for investments; everyone knows about our geopolitical position, legal stability, and our potential. Furthermore, under President Lula, the country has resumed dialogue with the world and stepped out of global isolation, regaining its credibility,’ said the Minister of Mines and Energy and counselor of Itaipu, Alexandre Silveira, at a recent event in Brasília to celebrate partnerships with China.
Expectations for the G20 Energy Ministers Meeting are high. Ministers are expected to discuss the main challenges of the energy transition, such as decarbonization. In 2023, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy sector emissions reached a new record of 37.4 billion tons of CO2, an increase of 1.1% compared to 2022. It is estimated that the energy sector (electricity + transportation) accounts for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite the magnitude of these figures, the IEA optimistically points out that 2023 was the first year in which at least half of the electricity production in industrialized countries came from low-emission sources, such as renewables and/or nuclear. Brazil, for its part, has one of the cleanest energy matrices in the world, thanks to the strong share of renewables in electricity generation (around 80%), as well as the significant presence of biofuels in the transportation sector, especially ethanol.
In this context, Itaipu stands out as an international reference. The company is notable for its environmental legacy, preserving over 100,000 hectares of Atlantic Forest in both countries. The protected areas serve as a buffer zone, ensuring the quality and quantity of water necessary for energy production, among other uses.
Moreover, Itaipu has been at the forefront of the energy transition not only through the production of clean energy (it is the plant that has generated most energy in history, with over 3 billion MWh since 1984) but also through modernization and efficiency initiatives; through education and research via Itaipu Parquetec; by promoting other renewables such as solar, biogas, and green hydrogen; through international partnerships, such as the Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network with UNDESA, and collaboration with German institutions for the expansion of green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel in Brazil; as well as numerous socio-environmental projects in 434 municipalities in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, through the Itaipu More than Energy program.
“Today, there is a global need to increasingly adopt renewable energy sources. Therefore, there are high expectations for the exchange of experiences and the formulation of policies that will allow for the advancement of these energies worldwide, as well as discussions about investments and fostering innovation,” says Rafael González, president of CIBiogás. Based at Itaipu Parquetec, CIBiogás exemplifies Itaipu’s support for the development of new renewable sources, particularly biogas generated from agricultural waste, along with innovative initiatives to convert biogas into renewable synthetic oil and the generation of biomethane (fuel) from organic waste produced by the hydroelectric plant itself.
“In a world increasingly aware of the climate emergency, the G20 Energy Ministers Meeting in Foz do Iguaçu stands for a unique opportunity to advance the global sustainability agenda,” adds Rogério Meneghetti, superintendent of Renewable Energies at Itaipu. According to him, Brazil’s leadership, exemplified by Itaipu Binacional and the commitment of the Federal Government, will be crucial in inspiring concrete and collaborative actions for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
