Brazil replaces energy minister amid Petrobras controversy

May 13 (Renewables Now) - Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has named Adolfo?Sachsida as the country’s new energy minister, replacing navy admiral Bento Costa Lima Leite de Albuquerque Junior in that position.

The change comes days after state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA (BVMF:PETR4), better known as Petrobras, raised diesel prices regardless of President Bolsonaro's prior request not to do so. Sachsida has pledged to study the possible privatisation of Petrobras.

Prior to the new appointment, Sachsida served as the Secretary of Economic Policy at the Ministry of Economy, as well as head of the Special Advisory for Strategic Affairs and the Special Advisory for Economic Studies of the same ministry.

Bento Albuquerque has been heading the ministry since Bolsonaro took office.