Brazil’s Capacity Auction Awards Nearly 19 GW as Eneva, Copel Detail Big Spending Plans

Overview

• The first day of the LRCAP 2026 contracted 18.98 GW across 100 projects at an average R$2.33–2.34 million per MW-year with a roughly 5.5% discount, and the CCEE estimates the round could unlock about R$64.5 billion in investment.
• Of the capacity awarded, 46% went to new thermal plants—mostly gas—40% to re-contracting existing units, and 13% to hydropower expansions under multi‑year availability payments.
• Eneva said the results support its largest-ever investment plan of R$18.2 billion, claiming 31% of the auctioned demand and a 56% increase in its contracted thermal portfolio, with projects eligible for incentivized debenture financing.
• Copel reported 1.86 GW in awarded capacity and plans to invest R$1.3 billion in Foz do Areia and R$3.6 billion in Segredo, under 15‑year contracts that target operations starting in August 2030.
• The FNCE cautioned the auction could lift power bills by at least 10% and add up to R$39 billion per year in sector costs, while a final stage focused on oil and biodiesel plants is scheduled for Friday.