Belo Monte

Third unit operating at 11.2-GW Belo Monte hydropower facility in Brazil

The third unit at the Belo Monte hydropower facility, with a capacity of 611 MW, was cleared to start operating Nov. 2 by Agencia Nacional de Energia Eletrica (Aneel).
Third unit operating at 11.2-GW Belo Monte hydropower facility in Brazil

The third unit at the Belo Monte hydropower facility, with a capacity of 611 MW, was cleared to start operating Nov. 2 by Agencia Nacional de Energia Eletrica (Aneel).

According to BNamericas, adding this unit has brought total capacity of the facility to more than 2 GW.

Belo Monte is on the Xingu River in Para State and began delivering electricity to the national grid of Brazil in April 2016. The Norte Energia consortium that owns the project includes Eletrobras and its subsidiaries Eletronorte and Chesf. Other investors are Neoenergia, Petros, Funcef, Light S.A., J Malucelli Energia, Vale and Sinobras.

Belo Monte will be the largest hydro project in Brazil when it is completed, surpassing the 6.1-GW Sao Luis do Tapajos facility.

The facility is expected to be fully operational in January 2019 and at that time will have a capacity of 11.2 GW.

To keep up on the latest status of this project, visit our Belo Monte hydropower project page.