Over the next five years, or the period running from 2014-2018, the government expects to tender out 3.5GW of solar capacity and 9GW of wind, according to Maurício Tolmasquim, president of Brazil's main energy planning authority (EPE).

The final version of the plan will be published later this year, after further study and public consultations.

Construction of the projects may stretch out several years beyond 2018.

Still,