The modernization of Brazil has advanced with the expansion of public-private partnerships (). In one year, 40 new tenders resulted in 146 concessions that currently serve 173 municipalities, totaling R$32 billion in contracts, according to the Brazilian Association of Public Lighting Concessionaires (Abcip). In total, the projects reach around 57 million people.
Large capitals such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Brasília are leading the process, but smaller cities have also joined. In some states, intermunicipal consortia have allowed municipalities to share costs and expand scale, which has already taken projects to more than 30 locations in Bahia, Minas Gerais and Paraná.
The exchange of luminaires for LED technology is the central axis of the concessions. Although only 20% of national public lighting is equipped with LED, more than half of PPPs already provide for complete modernization. In many cities, the service also includes remote management and remote monitoring of the network.
According to Paulo Candura, CEO of the company Luz Urbana, the replacement has been accompanied by energy savings. “Lighting PPPs have provided an average reduction of over 50% in consumption. This alleviates demand during peak hours and contributes to energy efficiency”, he states.
In addition to the modernization of the lighting park, several contracts have incorporated surveillance systems, connectivity between public buildings and other solutions linked to smart city projects. The federal government has supported the development of these initiatives through funds such as FDIRS, aimed especially at municipalities in the North, Northeast and Central-West.
The topic will be discussed at SIIPE (International Symposium on Public Lighting and Smart Cities), which will be held in Salvador on November 11th and 12th. The meeting should bring together public managers, researchers and sector representatives to discuss energy efficiency, sustainability and new technologies.
The movement has also mobilized financial institutions. Caixa Econômica Federal leads the support for structuring projects, with 82 contracts in progress — 60% of them related to public lighting. BNDES, BRDE, Banco do Brasil and Banco do Nordeste also offer training and credit lines.
