Latin America

Belo Monte auction set for Dec. 21

An auction for the 11,200-MW Belo Monte hydroelectric project will be held Dec. 21, according to Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry.

An auction for the 11,200-MW Belo Monte hydroelectric project will be held Dec. 21, according to Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry.

The Belo Monte project will be built on the Xingu River and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2014. It will be Brazil’s second-largest power plant behind the Itaipu hydroelectric project in sourhern Brazil.

Guidelines for the auction have been established. At least 70 percent of the power generated by Belo Monte must be sold to distribution companies, the ministry said. A license to build the plant will be issued in November, said Carlos Minc, Brazil’s Environment Minister. (HydroWorld 10/27/09)