Brazil Senate approves energy bills expanding social tariff and gas‑powered power

On 14 July, Brazil's Senate Infrastructure Commission approved two complementary energy measures. A substitute to PL 5.017/2019, presented by Senator Hermes Klann, authorises auctions for thermoelectric generation using natural gas from the Amazon, revises rules for small hydro plants, strengthens ANEEL's research role and adjusts the Eletrobras privatisation framework to improve energy security in the North.

The same session also advanced PLS 187/2017, initiated by Senator Romário and amended by Senator Laércio Oliveira, which expands the Tarifa Social de Energia Elétrica (TSEE). The amendment raises the income ceiling from three to four minimum wages for families with patients requiring continuous electric medical equipment, removes the requirement that the patient be treated by SUS and keeps CadÚnico registration as a condition. Funding will come primarily from the Social Fund. The revised benefit will be financed by the Fund Social and directed to the Conta de Desenvolvimento Energético.

A related regulation that took effect on 5 July 2025 already grants a 100 % discount on the first 80 kWh of consumption for eligible families, covering low‑income households, seniors, people with disabilities, Indigenous and Quilombola communities, and those with medical equipment.

Together, these measures aim to broaden electricity subsidies for vulnerable households while diversifying Brazil’s power generation mix with gas‑fired plants in the Amazon region.