Highlights
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental and social implications of Plans, Policies and Programs (PPP) proposals applied to various sectoral activities. In Brazil, it is possible to identify bottlenecks associated with the planning of the electric sector, mainly in relation to the environmental licensing process. Thus, there is significant potential for the application of SEA in this context, provided that the Brazilian characteristics of development are considered.
Objectives
The objective of this article is to identify and evaluate how the inclusion of the environmental variable in the planning of the Brazilian electric sector occurs and then to verify the applicability of the SEA in the scope of this planning.
Methodology
For the development of this work, the methodology of bibliographic research of qualitative approach was used. Specifically, existing publications, such as scientific articles, monographs, dissertations, theses, and official publications were consulted. It is worth highlighting the use of the "Good Practices Guide for Strategic Environmental Assessment - methodological guidelines" and the "Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan 2024”.
Results
The main result achieved by this work was the development of ways of adapting SEA in Brazil, based on considerations about the singularities of the Brazilian reality at each stage of SEA development. Based on this adaptation, it was concluded that the SEA can contribute significantly to an environmental and sustainable decision-making process in the planning of the Brazilian electric sector, including remedying environmental licensing bottlenecks.
Limitations of Research
The main limitation of the research and its results is the subjectivity of the political planning processes in the country, which directly affect the stages of development of the SEA.
Practical Implications
The study identifies the real potential of SEA in Brazil and presents guidelines and recommendations for the creation of a Brazilian SEA model in the electric sector.
Originality/Value
The article presents recommendations for adapting a SEA methodology applicable to the Brazilian electric sector, considering its singularities.