Amazon river power dam approved


Electrical Commissioning In Industrial Power Systems

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today
Brazil's environment agency approved the start-up of the Belo Monte power dam, a controversial $17 billion project in the Amazon that has drawn criticism from native Indians and conservationists.

The agency, Ibama, issued licenses to the consortium in charge of Belo Monte to start the construction site and to clear 238.1 hectares 588 acres of forest land, about the size of Monaco.

The government has said the 11,000-megawatt project, due to start producing electricity in 2015, is crucial to provide power to Brazil's fast-growing economy.

Norte Energia, the consortium that won the auction to build Belo Monte, is made up of state-run utility holding company Eletrobras, Brazil's second-largest pension fund Petros, and several local construction companies.

Originally conceived 30 years ago, progress on Belo Monte has been slowed over the years by protests, including an incident in 2009 in which Kayapo Indians armed with clubs and machetes attacked a state electricity official.

Critics from singer Sting to Hollywood director James Cameron and environmental group Greenpeace have said the dam will damage the environment and harm thousands of people living in the region.

The 6-km-long 3.75-mile dam will displace 30,000 river dwellers, partially dry up a 100-km stretch of the Xingu river, and flood a 500-square-km area three times the size of Washington D.C.

Related News

Hydro Quebec to increase hydropower capacity to more than 37,000 MW in 2021

Hydro Quebec transmission expansion aims to move surplus hydroelectric capacity from record reservoirs to the…
View more

Cancelling Ontario's wind project could cost over $100M, company warns

White Pines Project cancellation highlights Ontario's wind farm contract dispute in Prince Edward County, involving…
View more

Ukrainians Find New Energy Solutions to Overcome Winter Blackouts

Ukraine Winter Energy Crisis highlights blackouts, damaged grid, and resilient solutions: solar panels, generators, wood…
View more

US Electricity Prices Rise Most in 41 Years as Inflation Endures

US Electricity Price Surge drives bills as BLS data show 15.8 percent jump; natural gas…
View more

Feds to study using electricity to 'reduce or eliminate' fossil fuels

Electrification Potential Study for Canada evaluates NRCan's decarbonization roadmap, assessing electrification of end uses and…
View more

Africa must quadruple power investment to supply electricity for all, IEA says

Africa Energy Investment must quadruple, says IEA, to deliver electricity access via grids, mini-grids, and…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified