O acesso à energia elétrica: forma de garantia da dignidade da pessoa humana e o mínimo existencial.

Abstract

This article addresses the intersection between human dignity and access to electricity, investigating its socioeconomic, environmental, and legal implications. Its main purpose is to examine how human dignity, enshrined in international documents and in the Brazilian Federal Constitution, relates to access to electricity as part of the existential minimum. The study also analyzes the public policies, economic impacts, and sustainability associated with this access. The dignity of the human person, a fundamental concept in the legal and ethical context, establishes the intrinsic value of each individual, regardless of their origin, social condition, or physical characteristics. This notion, rooted in the history of human rights, exerts a significant influence on contemporary legislation, guiding the formulation of laws and public policies. In the Federal Constitution of 1988, human dignity is recognized as one of the fundamental pillars of the Federative Republic of Brazil, shaping the entire normative structure and guiding ethical values and legal precepts. The existential minimum, in turn, corresponds to the set of fundamental rights necessary to guarantee a dignified life, including basic needs such as food, housing, health, education, and access to justice. In the context of the existential minimum, access to electricity plays a crucial role, being an essential component to ensure a dignified life. Electricity enables the realization of several fundamental rights, such as health, education, communication and social participation. In addition, the relevance of the discussion on sustainability and the role of electricity in environmental preservation is highlighted. The transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources is touted as a strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of power generation. Another relevant point is the economic impact of access to electricity on society. Studies show that this access drives economic growth, benefiting sectors such as industry, agriculture, and services. Finally, the need and strategies to promote equitable access to electricity are discussed, including measures such as subsidies for low-income households, infrastructure investments, public-private partnerships, and energy efficiency awareness. The themes explored in this article demonstrate the complexity of the relationships between human dignity, access to electricity, economic impacts, sustainability, and the importance of public policies to ensure fair and sustainable access to electricity, considering the social, environmental, and economic dimensions.