Brazil’s hydroelectric sector needs more development

Brazilian hydroelectric stakeholders have submitted an open letter to the Minister of Mines and Energy with recommendations to unlock the development of the country's hydroelectric production. The recommendations consist of exploring medium-sized hydro projects, upgrading existing hydro plants and regulating repowering. These measures could boost the segment and ensure the supply of renewable energy for the expansion of the country's production capacity.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Representatives of the main companies in the Brazilian hydroelectric sector have delivered an open letter to the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, with recommendations to unblock the development of the country’s hydroelectric production. This initiative was taken during a meeting between the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and companies from the Brazilian hydropower sector in Rio de Janeiro, on February 13, 2023. The recommendations consist of exploring medium-sized hydro projects, upgrading existing hydro plants and regulating repowering. Industry players say they are ready to contribute to the development of a sustainable, modern and affordable electrical energy system.

 

Recommendations from the Brazilian hydroelectric sector

Representatives of the main companies in the Brazilian hydroelectric sector have prepared an open letter containing recommendations considered to be a priority to unblock the development of hydroelectric production in the country.

The paper discusses the scarcity of new large and medium-sized hydroelectric projects in Brazil and lists measures that could contribute to the resumption of the segment’s expansion. The Brazilian hydroelectric sector recommends taking advantage of the development potential of medium-sized projects. With less complex environmental licensing requirements, these projects could boost the segment and secure renewable energy supplies for the country’s generating capacity expansion.

The Brazilian hydroelectric sector also advocates the modernization of existing hydroelectric plants. This modernization could potentially generate an increase in the installed capacity of 51 plants that have been in operation for more than 30 years, thus contributing to a significant energy gain. The document recalls that this opportunity had already been mentioned in studies by the Power Research Company (EPE).

Finally, the Brazilian hydroelectric sector wants clear regulations for repowering. This regulation would allow, to the extent possible, the installation of more turbines in existing plants. This would be essential for the exploitation of greater power output and for future expansion.

 

Brazil’s hydroelectric potential

Brazil is a country with a strong position in hydroelectric production in South America. Indeed, of the more than 70 GW of hydroelectric capacity in this region, a large part is located in Brazil, and has been operational for more than 30 years. This advantage represents a golden opportunity for the modernization of existing units, as well as for the creation of new medium-sized plants. International Hydropower Association (IHA) Executive Director Eddie Rich says he is ready to help develop a sustainable, modern and affordable electric power system.

 

Industry Leaders’ Perspectives

For Gil Maranhão, ENGIE’s Director of Communications and Corporate Responsibility and a member of the IHA Board of Directors, it is important to resume investment in this energy source in order to diversify the alternatives for electricity supply. Brazil already has one of the cleanest electricity matrices in the world thanks to its hydroelectric plants. It is therefore essential to continue to invest in the development of this modality to ensure the security of the system, while allowing the growth of other renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Adriana Waltrick, CEO of SPIC Brasil, considers the regulatory discussions on repowering of hydroelectric plants to be fundamental. The objective is to propose regulations that allow, as far as possible, the installation of more turbines in existing power plants. This is the case of the São Simão hydroelectric plant, which is currently undergoing a complete renovation, digitalization and modernization for its 45th year. The more digitized hydroelectric plants become, the more power output can be harnessed, paving the way for future expansion.

For Cláudio Trejger, CEO of GE Renewable Energy’s Hydro Division in Latin America, the scenario is very promising for hydroelectric generation to take an even more relevant profile in Brazil’s national electric power sector. There are great opportunities for the construction of additional hydroelectric plants in Brazil, which will bring more flexible and sustainable energy to the entire national grid. The advanced technologies available for investment in existing hydroelectric plants can reduce costs and optimize operations to produce more reliable, competitive, and cleaner energy in the country.

The Tokyo Bureau of Transportation is seeking a new electricity retailer for the output of its three hydropower plants, with a portion resold to power the city’s transport infrastructure.
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has raised its stake to approximately 15% in ISAGEN, one of Colombia’s leading power producers, through a $535mn investment alongside Brookfield.
New Delhi plans to allocate INR6.4tn ($77bn) to develop transmission infrastructure for 76 GW of electricity from the Brahmaputra Basin by 2047, amid growing cross-border pressures.
Moscow strengthens industrial joint ventures with Tajikistan by leveraging hydropower, agriculture, and mining in a strategy based on mutual interest and economic complementarity.
Gabon has signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s Todini to develop two hydropower plants in Booué and Tsengué-Lélédi, with an estimated value of $1.78 billion to address electricity shortages.
Le groupe Axian renforce son portefeuille énergétique avec le projet de barrage de Volobe à Madagascar, une initiative estimée à $670mn visant à étendre l’accès à l’électricité dans un pays en proie à de fortes tensions sociales.
Nagano Prefecture has commissioned a new 1.5MW hydropower plant to supply Seiko Epson’s Ina facility under a sleeved power purchase agreement managed by Chubu Electric Power Miraiz.
The Senate's economic affairs committee recommends including the reform of the legal framework for dams in the upcoming energy bill to avoid competitive tendering, following a principle agreement between Paris and Brussels.
The Canadian government is investing nearly CAD17mn ($12.4mn) to support two hydroelectric initiatives led by Indigenous communities in Quebec, aiming to reduce diesel dependency in remote regions.
Federal funding targets FORCE’s PICO platform and an Acadia study on fish–turbine collision risks, aiming to reduce regulatory uncertainty and accelerate industrial adoption in the Bay of Fundy.
The Norwegian operator plans to install a third turbine to capture part of today’s bypassed floodwater without changing the flow on the salmon stretch; commissioning would be at the earliest in 2030. —
Norway’s Statkraft continues its exit from the Indian market with the sale of its Tidong hydropower project to JSW Energy, which strengthens its asset portfolio in Himachal Pradesh.
Eco Wave Power and BladeRanger have unveiled a first-of-its-kind drone-powered maintenance system for onshore wave energy infrastructure, aimed at reducing operational costs and improving system performance.
A TEHA-Enel report highlights that 86% of Italy's hydropower concessions are expiring, threatening key investments and the country's energy security.
Hull Street Energy has signed an agreement to acquire thirteen hydroelectric dams from Consumers Energy, totalling 132 MW, further consolidating its position in the North American hydro sector.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is now fully operational, with a planned capacity of 5,150 MW, marking a key step in the country’s energy deployment.
Sweden's Minesto begins a SEK25mn ($2.26mn) tidal microgrid project in the Faroe Islands, targeting integration with local applications such as electric vehicle charging and industrial processes.
The Grand Renaissance Dam, set to be inaugurated in September, aims to produce 5,000 megawatts and could generate up to $1 billion per year for Ethiopia, according to the government.
A principle agreement between Paris and Brussels opens the way to reforming the legal framework of hydroelectric concessions in France, ending a deadlock that lasted over ten years.
Swedish company Eco Wave Power has completed testing of its technology at the Port of Los Angeles, reaching a tangible milestone with the launch of its floaters to generate electricity from waves.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.