O uso do território e o sistema técnico eólio-energético: coexistências, conflitos e solidariedades com os assentamentos rurais de reforma agrária no Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Until 18th century, there was a common trait to all World: absence of electrical energy. With the advent of this new technique, the way human beings lived changed completely, requiring the creation of a set of strategies to keep stability of supply and demand. Upon the first signs of exhaustion of traditional energy sources in the world, debates about the need for “renewable” energy sources emerged. Soon arose a territorial split of work, presenting a clear relationship between potentialities offered by the ecological environment and availability of techniques to use them. Brazil, with huge hydroelectric potential, has been investing massively in this power source since the 30s of past century. And, since the beginning of 21st century, wind energy investment has grown exponentially. In the State of Rio Grande do Norte, electricity generation by wind power has advanced significantly and, nowadays, the state produces 3.4Gw, adding up to 27% of nacional eolic production. Therefore, this study intends to understand solidarities and conflicts arising from the coexistence of wind power activities and land reformation rural settlements in potiguar lands. Some specific questions will also be addressed, highlighting: the relationship between modernity and power demand; the formation of Sistema Interligado Nacional (SIN); Rio Grande do Norte’s situation within SIN-Brasil, from consumer to self-sufficient state; the spatial distribution of wind power plants across the state and it’s consequences in land reformation settlements. To address these questions, methodologies included bibliographic surveys, guided interviews, visitation to 45 (forty five) pre-selected locations across the state, including photographic register of a wide range of arrangements. Field reports described in this study reveal frustration of communities surounding the power plants, broken promises, loss of the right to the suroundings, repression of movement, but also benefits in each place through the development of multiple projects and actions in rural potiguar environment. It’s mandatory to state that these are enterprises involved in a complex articulation network between the private and political sectors, with a sleek and persuasive speech, where local population bear restricted deciding power. Yet, this activity is presented as a keystone to Rio Grande do Norte’s development through energetic self-sufficiency.