Transição da matriz energética para fontes renováveis como meio de redução da pobreza energética no Brasil: um estudo sob a perspectiva do direito constitucional

Abstract

Electricity is essential for human development and the progress of society. However, the lack of access to this fundamental resource is still a reality in some regions of the country, specifically in the Northern region. Although the right to electricity is not explicitly listed in the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 as an individual, collective, or social right, it is implicitly understood, and the difficulty in accessing it directly undermines the fundamental principle of human dignity. From this perspective, one of the questions that arises is to what extent access to electricity can be considered a fundamental right and have the potential to reduce energy poverty rates in Brazil. Thus, the hypothesis is that access to electricity can be recognized as a fundamental right since it improves people's quality of life. As a result, the overall objective was to demonstrate how the use of renewable energy sources can reduce energy poverty levels, ensuring the minimum living conditions for Brazilian citizens. To this end, the first chapter focused on explaining the functioning of some renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric, solar, wind, and biomass. Subsequently, the concept of energy poverty was analyzed, along with its impacts on national territory, and how the scarcity of this resource violates the country's most important law: the Federal Constitution. Finally, the country's energy transition model and how the Federal Government's "Luz Para Todos" (Light for All) program helps combat energy poverty in Brazil were discussed. By doing so, it was possible to verify that the use of renewable energy sources has great potential to democratize access to electricity throughout the country. However, there are challenges such as high economic costs associated with infrastructure and large-scale transmission, as well as environmental risks involved. Therefore, it is crucial for governments, companies, and civil society to join forces in comprehensively combating energy poverty, recognizing that access to electricity is intrinsically linked to the rights and duties set forth in the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988.