The Brazilian government published the decree establishing the National Policy for Access to the Transmission System (PNAST). The measure modernizes the access model for generators and large consumers to the Basic Grid and inaugurates a new planning approach, expanding the capacity of the National Interconnected System (SIN) to address the energy transition and the new wave of strategic industrial investments. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira , emphasized the importance of the decree for the country's energy future. "Brazil needed a modern and competitive model capable of providing security for planning and investments," he stated.
The PNAST demonstrates to the world that Brazil is a leader in the energy transition and is ready to attract the new green economy.
“We are facilitating access to the grid, guaranteeing efficiency and resilience, and strengthening the future of our electricity system,” he stated. Developed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in dialogue with stakeholders in the sector and Brazilian government agencies, the PNAST (National Policy for Access to High-Speed Energy) emerged as a response to the strong growth of renewable energy sources, especially wind and solar, and the accelerated expansion of the Free Contracting Environment (ACL) since 2019.
Recently, connection requests from large industrial projects, such as low-carbon hydrogen plants and data centers, have dominated the access queue, with demands of hundreds or even thousands of megawatts in regions with high load concentration. Therefore, the PNAST is completely reorganizing the process by introducing "Access Seasons," a mechanism that replaces the "first-come, first-served" (queue) system with batch analysis, using selection based on technical and competitive criteria.
The objective is to guarantee the rational use of the network, improve predictability for investors and offer sector planning more solid and realistic information on the future needs of the SIN (National Interconnected System).
Access Seasons will be held at least twice a year and will only include competitive bidding at points in the network where demand exceeds flow capacity. The first Access Season is expected to take place in October 2026.
Before that, the National System Operator (ONS) will evaluate access requests prior to the publication of the Decree and issue Access Opinions, definitively concluding the queue-based analyses. The new policy also strengthens the role of the Energy Research Company (EPE), linked to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), which will use the results of the Access Seasons as direct input to guide transmission expansions.
The decree establishes additional instruments, such as financial guarantees and the review of already declared demand, to reduce risks and curb speculation, as well as the possibility of competitive bidding processes for the supply of future capacity and for the voluntary release of usage amounts at points of highest demand. Another innovation is the specific treatment given to large industrial loads.
Given the significant increase in access requests from low-carbon hydrogen plants and data centers since 2023, the decree requires specific expansions of the Core Network to enable strategic connections.
This measure streamlines decision-making and aligns transmission expansion with the ongoing green neo-industrialization process in the country. By linking grid access to the expansion strategy of the National Interconnected System (SIN), the National Policy on Access to the Electricity System (PNAST) creates conditions to absorb new renewable energy parks, connect large consumers, and strengthen the reliability of the electricity system. With the implementation of the PNAST, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is initiating a new phase in organizing access to the Basic Grid, expanding connection capacity for low-carbon industries, boosting the expansion of renewable energy, and laying the foundation for a more efficient and robust electricity system, prepared for the transformations of the next decade. Access the Questions and Answers here for more information on the National Policy on Access to the Transmission System.