Regional inequalities in electricity access versus quality of life in Brazil

Desigualdades regionais no acesso à eletricidade versus qualidade de vida no Brasil

Abstract

One of the main inequalities in Brazil is related to electricity access and distribution. On average, 99.7% of the population have access to some type of energy, varying from 99.1% to 99.9% among the Brazilian states. However, 600 thousand Brazilians still have no access to electricity. This paper aims to relate the distribution of electricity to social and spatial inequalities in Brazilian regions. An evaluation concerning the Brazilian region's population, territorial area, and per capita income was performed. Regarding electricity access and distribution, an extensive assessment of the current Brazilian electricity sector was carried out. The findings showed that the north and northeast regions have lower per capita income, lower electricity consumption and lower electricity access than the other regions. Improving quality of life, job offer, and access to education are challenges to be faced, but the energy policy in Brazil does not yet properly contemplate these.

Keywords:
Socioeconomic inequalities; Electricity access; Income; Energy consumption