The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, said this Tuesday (9) that he intends to take to the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) the proposal to increase the mixture of anhydrous ethanol in gasoline from 30% to 32%. The topic should be on the agenda of the next collegiate meeting, scheduled to take place in the next two weeks.
The proposal is part of the government’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported fuels and mitigate the effects of the war in the Middle East. The announcement was made by Silveira after a meeting at Palácio do Planalto with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, five other ministers and representatives of the sugar-energy sector.
According to the minister, although there is room to advance to E35, technical studies currently allow the increase to E32. He stated that the request was presented by the sector this Tuesday and that it will be submitted to the CNPE as determined by the President of the Republic.
The council is made up of federal government ministers. According to Silveira, the increase in the mixture could lead Brazil to eliminate gasoline imports and achieve self-sufficiency in supply. The Ministry of Mines and Energy’s projection is that the measure will reduce the need to import fuel by around 500 million liters per month.
In the minister’s opinion, increasing the share of anhydrous ethanol in gasoline also favors the decarbonization process and reduces the country’s exposure to the foreign market, helping to contain the impacts of the war in the Middle East on domestic prices.
Silveira also highlighted that, although the conflict is not under Brazil’s control, the government seeks to adopt measures to limit its effects on the country as much as possible.
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In addition to less external dependence, the government understands that the change can bring logistical gains, by freeing up structures currently used for importing gasoline and opening up space to make the transport of other fuels, such as diesel, more efficient.
According to the ministry’s calculations, the change could prevent around 450 million liters of gasoline from entering the country. For the minister, this represents greater energy security, more affordable prices, progress in decarbonization and stimulation of national development, with a positive impact on planting, employment and income.
(with information from O Globo)
