Recovery of regularization reservoirs

Prepared within the scope of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), the Regularization Reservoir Recovery Plan (PRR) aims to increase the resilience of the country’s reservoir management, unifying efforts related to energy, water and environmental policies. It focuses on adapting to climate change, ensuring energy supply and expanding water security.

The instrument was established in response to the hydropower crisis experienced between 2021 to 2022. Designed with a ten-year outlook, the PRR began implementation in 2023.

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and guided by a multisectoral governance structure, it has the participation of the following bodies and institutions: Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA), National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), Energy Research Company (EPE), National Electric System Operator (ONS) and Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE).

Objectives and guidelines

Gradually recover the storage capacity of the reservoirs

Prioritizing watering (supply of water for human and animal consumption) and multiple uses of water

Reduction of water and energy vulnerability in the face of climate change.

Ensuring the energy security of the National Interconnected System (SIN)

Strengthening the synergy between the electricity sector and water management

Promotion of water, energy and socioeconomic security in the country.

STRATEGIC ACTIONS

The RRP includes 31 short, medium and long-term actions, among which those with the greatest relationship with the objective of adaptation to climate change stand out:

Update of hydrological series and climate risk parameters

Creation of a socio-environmental database on vulnerability to extreme events

Elaboration of a climate resilience roadmap for the electricity sector

Local actions for the recovery of degraded areas in critical watersheds, with a focus on expanding water infiltration and reducing siltation.

Incorporation of hydrological scenarios with climate projections in the Ten-Year Energy Plan (PDE) and in the Energy Operation Plan (PEN).

For the implementation of the PRR, there is a guarantee of financial contributions set forth in Law 14,182/2021, through the accounts of the Water Resources Revitalization Programs. The focus is on actions that generate recharge of affluent flows and increase the operational flexibility of the reservoirs, without harming the priority use and multiple use of water resources.

The resources are applied in two accounts over 10 years starting in 2023, totaling R$ 700,000,000.00 per year, benefiting the hydrographic basins of the São Francisco and Parnaíba rivers, as well as the area of influence of the reservoirs of the Furnas plants.

According to the 2nd Monitoring Report (2024), the overall physical execution of the RRP reached 41% by February 2025, with relevant advances in governance, hydrological data updates, and revitalization projects in critical basins.