20 December 2011: The World Bank has approved a $49.6 million loan to support Brazil’s “Energy and Mineral Sectors Strengthening Project,” which aims to build the capacity of key public sector institutions to improve the energy and mineral sectors’ contribution to environmentally and socially sustainable growth.

The project is to directly benefit the poor, for whom it aims to offer more reliable power at lower prices. It has four components focused on the mineral and energy sectors: strengthening government capacity to promote sustainable development in the energy and mineral sectors; strengthening regulatory agencies such as the National Electricity Agency (ANEEL), the National Mineral Production Department (DNPM) and the National Geological Survey Service (CPRM); support for the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies in both the power and mineral sectors to improve research, prevent natural disasters and attract investments; and support for south-south cooperation, including the development of internal procedures, technical assistance and capacity building in the areas of climate change, renewable energy, regulation, and social sustainability.

The World Bank also aims to help adapt Brazil’s best practices on the energy sector to other developing country contexts. [World Bank Press Release]