Background

Supplying Brazil’s Northern region with electricity has always been a difficult challenge due to it being a remote area. In the past the solution in has been the implementation of isolated electricity systems based on diesel power plants. 

Project

The Saldanha Small Hydroelectric Project brings a secure and reliable source of power to the region for the first time. The project is located in the municipality of Alta Floresta d’Oeste, Rondônia State and has an installed capacity of 5MW, generated by two 2.5MW turbines. 

The project will increase the electricity supply to the grid, offsetting diesel power generation with a renewable source of energy.  Project Developer/Operator, Hidroluz Centrais Elétricas Ltda., recognises the projects assistance in helping Brazil to fulfil its goal of promoting sustainable development.

Benefits

Social

• Contributes to better working conditions and reduced health risks in the area associated with the combustion of fossil fuels
• Increased employment opportunities in the area; directly associated with construction and maintenance, as well as indirect employment benefits
• Improved local power supply reliability enhances quality of life for local people

Economic

• Generates better revenue distribution for helping to improve local and regional economic development
• Contributes to regional integration and connection with other sectors, particularly pertinent in such a remote area
• Development of Brazilian technological capacity as all labour and technical maintenance provided domestically
• Reduces dependence on fossil fuels thus reducing exposure to fossil fuel price volatility

Environmental

• Contributes to local environmental sustainability by directly reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions
• Increases the contribution of small scale hydroelectricity projects to regional electricity generation helping to promote renewable energy and encourage others to replicate such projects elsewhere