The National Council of Energy Policy (CNPE) has authorized Brazil’s entry into some international organizations that, according to Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, are fundamental to the future of energies worldwide: the International Energy Agency (IEA); and the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
In addition, Brazilian participation was authorized in a forum created by OPEC+, aiming at cooperation between oil producing countries. “We authorize adhesion to the letter of cooperation, but this does not generate binding obligation to Brazil,” said the minister.
Silveira talked about the subject after attending the CNPE meeting in Brasilia. He recalled that Brazil was invited to be part of the letter of cooperation from oil producing countries during a visit by President Lula to the United Arab Emirates at COP28.
According to the minister, this is only a letter in a strategy discussion forum of oil producing countries, and that the country cannot be ashamed of being a major oil producer.
Silveira stressed that the country needs to grow, develop, generate income, employment and opportunities for its citizens, and that taxes obtained in this sector may be applied in areas such as education, health and safety.
Energy transition
“Brazil is the leader of clean and renewable energies and is the leader of the global energy transition. He cannot fail to participate in a forum, especially at this time, “said the minister.
“It is important to emphasize: Brazil has, in the figure of President Lula, the largest leader who can strengthen global governance for energy transition. In particular, when madness overlaps with rationality,” said Silveira, when referring to recent changes in political scenario of the United States (USA).
The CNPE also authorized the beginning of the process of adherence to the International Energy Agency, as well as participation in the International Renewable Energy Agency. For Silveira, these agencies strengthen the country from the point of view of the energy transition. “In particular, they strengthen us on the Biofuels Agenda. We want a fair, inclusive and balanced energy transition.”
Greenpeace
Specialist in International Policy of Greenpeace Brasil, Camila Jardim criticized Brazilian adhesion to the forum created by OPEC+.
“In the midst of another brutal wave of heat and successive records in the high temperature highs, Brazil goes against it when seeking to integrate OPEC+, a group that acts as a oil cartel and works to support profitable prices through control of Offer, ”said the expert.
Equatorial margin
Alexandre Silveira also spoke about the Brazilian interest in expanding knowledge about alleged oil reserves that would be underground of the equatorial margin, located in the Amazon River Delta, in the Northern Region.
“Not exploring or not knowing the equatorial margin, and giving Brazilians the right to know our mineral potentialities, it would be an insanity,” said the minister, by classifying as “ideological question” divergent opinions. “There is no rationality because, first, it is strategic to know the potential,” he said, amid arguments that oil is still a matter of global demand.
This demand would be supplied by groups such as Saudi Aramco, a Saudi Arabia state -owned company, considered the world’s largest in terms of raw oil production and reserves.
“To get an idea, Petrobras is worth $ 100 billion. Already the Saudi Aramco is worth $ 1.8 trillion in the bag. It equals 18 Petrobras, ”argued the minister.
