Democracy and Energy Justice: A Look at the Brazilian Electricity Sector

Abstract

Faced with the debate around energy transition, concepts have emerged that aim to combine justice and democracy with energy innovation. The concepts of energy democracy and energy justice are examples of these efforts. Although it is considered a global issue, the production of such topics is still centred in Europe and North America. Seeking to broaden the approach, this chapter addressed examples from the Brazilian electricity sector. Among the reasons for choosing, it to be analysed, we considered that this sector is based on hydroelectricity and more sustainable than the world average; however, it is loaded with social imbalances and socio-environmental problems. Thus, the chapter reflected these concepts on Brazilian hydroelectric plants, the access and cost of electricity for the population, and exemplified by a recent blackout in the Amazon region. It was observed that the construction models of these hydroelectric plants are rooted in the history of a lack of low social responsibility in the use and occupation of space. The populations of the Amazon states have suffered the impacts over time. The high costs, difficult access, and the quality of electricity service have challenging to provide electricity for all.KeywordsEnergy democracyEnergy justiceEnergy transitionElectricity sectorBrazil