Energy generated will account for 33% of the country’s expanded capacity forecast for 2015-2019, equivalent to supplying 60M people or all of the energy used in the south and north eastern regions.
Investments in the plant, which total R$28.9B (US$13.8B), will create 18,700 jobs directly, and a further 23,000 indirectly during the construction works. The project will also contribute to boosting production of Brazilian industry since 98% of the equipment used will be manufactured locally.
The Belo Monte plant will be the third largest in the world, following China’s Three Gorges (22,500MW), and the bi-national Itaipu (14,000MW). Unlike other large scale hydroelectric plants, Belo Monte has a small reservoir in comparison with its installed potential. The ratio between the flooded area and the generation capacity is described as being one of the best in the world.
The first of the 24 turbines will be operational in February 2015 and the last on the list is slated for January 2019.
BNDES will finance investments for social and environmental efforts to the tune of R$3.2B (US$1.5B). This is the largest amount ever approved by the bank for socio-environmental initiatives and is equivalent to 11.2% of the total resources invested in the plant.
