Wind and solar generate over a third of Brazil’s electricity for the first month on record

Wind and solar have seen impressive growth in Brazil in recent years with solar in particular rising sharply. The share of solar power has grown sixfold in five years, from 2.2% in August 2020 to 13% in August 2025. Wind also saw a substantial increase from 15% in August 2020 to 21% in August 2025. 

While August 2025 stands out as a record month, wind and solar are playing a growing role in Brazil’s electricity mix across the entire year. In 2024, wind and solar generated 24% of Brazil’s electricity, more than doubling their share in five years from 9.9% in 2019. Solar has grown particularly rapidly from 1.1% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2024, while wind has almost doubled its share from 8.8% in 2019 to 15% in 2024.

While hydro power remained Brazil’s single largest source of electricity generation, at 48% in August, it was only the second month on record where hydro made up less than half of Brazil’s electricity. Total hydro generation fell to 27 TWh – the lowest value since August 2021 – as reduced rainfall worsened Brazil’s already low dry-season output.