Brazil conducts tests to reacquire energy from Venezuela
15 de January de 2025
By Ian Vitor Freitas – From Cenarium
BOA VISTA (RR) – The State of Roraima resumed testing on Monday, January 13, to evaluate the possibility of receiving energy again from the Guri Transmission Line, located on the Caroni River in Venezuela. Energy supply tests for the State will continue until Thursday, January 16, conducted by the company Bolt Energy, which is initially importing 10 megawatts (MW).
Negotiations to resume operations began last year, and the initiative is seen as highly significant, as Roraima is the only Brazilian State not connected to the National Interconnected System (SIN).
Initially, the primary challenge to formalizing the importation lies in the tests, which aim to assess the stability and quality of energy from the neighboring country. The goal is to determine how this energy supply can operate without causing major impacts, failures, or interruptions in Roraima. So far, since the first tests on Monday, only one interruption has been recorded within the first seven hours.
Since 2019, the state has been powered solely by the Monte Cristo and Jaguatirica II thermal power plants. That same year, Brazil halted energy imports from Venezuela due to numerous blackouts in the region.
Following the testing period, Roraima may formalize a definitive contract to secure energy from Venezuela once again. This process is being conducted by Bolt Energy. Although the current tests involve a 10 MW load, successful negotiations could lead to a permanent supply of 15 MW.
Finally, to maintain energy stability in Roraima and avoid blackouts like those experienced in 2019, the thermal power plants will continue operating as a backup to stabilize the grid. This approach is part of the proposal, alongside simulations conducted by the National Electric System Operator (ONS). In other words, the energy sources currently powering the state will remain as a contingency plan for emergencies.
Roraima and the National Interconnected System
According to a resolution published on December 27 in the Official Gazette, the Superintendence of Development of the Amazon (Sudam) approved the allocation of funds from the Amazon Development Fund (FDA) for a project of interest by the company Transnorte Energia PLC (TNE), which aims to integrate Roraima’s energy supply into the National Interconnected System (SIN).
The allocated amount is R$ 1.734 billion. The objective is to implement, operate, and maintain the electrical transmission infrastructure, including the 500 kV Manaus-to-Boa Vista transmission line.
With authorization to begin construction, the responsible company can now finalize contracts with Caixa Econômica Federal, the financial operator, to secure the necessary funding to carry out the project.