Water and energy resources are plentiful in Brazil, but highly unevenly distributed. Hydropower represents 83% of the country’s installed capacity, while new energy needs are expected to be met by thermal plants fueled by natural gas. Complicating the country’s energy scenario is a partial privatization of the power sector, and a recent drive by President Lula and his administration to stabilize electricity tariffs. As in other developing countries, Brazil is striving to respond to the challenges posed by rapidly growing urban populations.
Early Alliance efforts in Brazil focused on individual utility partnerships. Today the Alliance’s efforts in Brazil focus on taking the Watergy efficiency message to a larger national audience. 
To accomplish this, the Alliance created the Brazilian Association of Water and Energy (ABAE). ABAE is an independent Brazilian non-profit established in 2004 consisting of private sector equipment and service providers, federal, state and local government, existing water and energy focused associations, and water utilities from across the country. As part of the effort to establish a strong local institution focused on Watergy efficiency, the Alliance is also developing innovative financing models to facilitate a commercially viable Watergy efficiency market tailored to the needs of the water and wastewater sectors.
Running in parallel with ABAE work, the Alliance is demonstrating successful approaches for water utilities to take Watergy projects from project design and development through to financial closure with private partners. Current activities include identifying viable projects and project developers and connecting them to energy service companies, financial institutions and government allies.
For more information on the Alliance Watergy program in Brazil, please click here.
