Rio de Janeiro – A total of 117 companies have been accredited to apply for the funds made available by the Electric Sector Technology Innovation Support Plan (Inova Energia), launched by the Brazilian federal government in April this year. The program is a partnership between the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Brazilian Innovation Agency (Finep) and the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel).
The preliminary result was announced this Friday (24th) by the BNDES and is a shortlist of companies selected from out of 373 applications. The Finep’s Innovation director João De Negri celebrated the fact that the demand amounted for nearly R$ 12 billion (US$ 5.8 billion), while the initial amount earmarked for the program was R$ 3 billion (US$ 1.4 billion). This form of government support is seen in several countries, including the United States and European nations, he said.
The shortlisted companies will now submit detailed business plans to a team comprising BNDES, Finep and Aneel technicians. The three organizations will appoint the financial instruments best suited to each of the projects, including credit, non-reimbursable support, subvention, and shareholding.
The director estimated that all shortlisted projects should be contracted by November. Programa Inova Energia targets smart grids and ultra-high tension (UHT); alternative energy sources; hybrid vehicles; and vehicular energy efficiency.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
