Exclusive: Eletrobras loses plan to build three mega power plants in the Amazon

Eletrobras, the largest company in the Brazilian electricity sector, has just lost the right to carry out feasibility studies for the construction of three large hydroelectric plants in the Amazon region. The complex was to be built on the Jamanxim River, one of the main tributaries of the Tapajós River, in Pará, and would have a total generating capacity of 2,200 megawatts, enough to supply more than 3 million families.

The Brazilian Report has learned that the company failed to meet the deadline for submitting the Technical and Economic Feasibility Studies (EVTE) for each of the projects. 

Last Friday, February 16, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), the regulator in charge of managing the country’s energy concessions, sent a letter to the president of Eletrobras, Ivan de Souza Monteiro. In the document, the agency informs him that the company’s project applications will be revoked.

With this decision, Eletrobras is abandoning its long-standing plan to build the Jamanxin, Cachoeira dos Patos, and Cachoeira do Caí hydroelectric dams, all of which were planned to flood protected areas of the Amazon, including large areas of environmental conservation units and indigenous lands.

“The deadline for submitting the proposed EVTE was December 31, 2023. To date, the studies have not been submitted,” said Aneel. “Therefore, we inform you that the registrations will be revoked.”

The Brazilian Report asked Eletrobras about the loss of its applications and the possibility of the company trying to appeal the regulator’s decision. In a statement, the company preferred to leave the matter open-ended. “Eletrobras informs that it will...