Distributed electricity generation as a strategic niche within a sustainable and socially inclusive transition in Brazil: exploring pilot projects in urban low-income communities

A transition to a low-carbon energy system is widely accepted as a necessity for mitigating climate change. Distributed electricity generation is a growing trend for incenting renewables and increasing efficiency and is expected to play an important role in this transformation. In 2012, Brazil regulated distributed electricity, but government incentives are weak while strong preferences remain for the traditional hydroelectric regime.

Sustainability transition literature provides a framework for analyzing changes in socio-technical systems. It is recognized that transitions have distributional consequences, but how social inclusion becomes one of the core attributes of a transformation in the electricity sector has yet to be adequately addressed. I explore how distributed generation can be interpreted as a strategic niche by studying pilot projects in urban and low-income communities. I elaborate on the potential role of this niche within a sustainability transition by aligning it to existing social policies in Brazil.

Catherine Gucciardi Garcez
PhD candidate, University of Brasilia, Centre for Sustainable Development Visiting Scholar (Research), SPPA