According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Brazilian electric power system comprises the Brazilian Interconnected System (SIN), which integrates the South, Southeast/Mid-West, North and Northeast subsystems and some isolated systems that together cater for over 98% of the Brazilian population. The coordination and operational control of the SIN generation and transmission facilities are under the responsibility of the Brazilian Operator of the Electrical System (ONS) and are inspected and regulated by the Brazilian Electric Power Agency (ANEEL).

This sector had its regulatory framework consolidated by Law No. 9427/1995, amended by Law No. 10.848/2004, which set out the operation rules for the generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of electric power.

It is the role of the Brazilian Federal Government – directly or through concession, authorization or license to third parties – to exploit electric power-related utility services and facilities and the hydroelectric use of watercourses. It is also their responsibility to set out the criteria to grant the right to research and exploit water resources, as well as to register, follow up and inspect such concessions and to legislate on watercourses and electric power matters.

Currently, according to the MME, the service of transportation of large energy blocks for long distances in Brazil is performed through 106,676 kilometers of transmission lines. This extension includes the basic grid, connections between power plants, international interconnections and 550.6 kilometers in the isolated systems. Up to 2014, a further 13,338 kilometers is planned to be implemented.

The expansion planning for the Brazilian electric power system is based on the 10-year Plan for Energy Expansion, coordinated by Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE) (Energy Research Company), whose purpose is to provide market research statistics and reports aimed at feeding information to the energy sector planning. Based on the 10-year Plan for Energy Expansion prepared by EPE, it is made possible to develop both the Transmission Expansion Program (PET) covering a five-year period and the Expansion and Reinforcement Plan (PAR), outlined for the next three years. The PET Program results form the joint efforts of all electric power-related undertakings by each region in the country, whereas the PAR Program is developed by the Brazilian Electric System Operator (ONS), considering the outlook for the short and medium-term horizon, on the grounds of the Brazilian Interconnected System (SIN)`s analysis. (GRI EU19)

The consensus solutions laid down by these groups provide support for the determination of the infrastructure works required for the expansion of the electric power system in the country, which thereafter are put forward in the document “Consolidation of Works”, published by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). Further information may be found in both the EPE and MME websites (www.epe.gov.br and www.mme.gov.br ).