On June 28, the Pampa Sul Hydroelectric Power Plant, built by ENGIE at an investment of more than R$ 2 billion, received National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) authorization to begin generation on a commercial scale. The feasibility of the project was assured following the A-5 auction of November 2014 \u2013 prior to the ENGIE Group announcing its planned global strategy for relinquishing all coal-fired generation activities – and construction work began in June 2015 upon receipt of the Installation License from the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).<\/p>\n

Coal-fired and with an installed capacity of 345 MW, the plant is the largest to be built in the South of Brazil in recent years. Its construction was the responsibility of SDEPCI, a Chinese company with vast experience in work involving state of the art technology for the thermal generation segment. \u201cWe are delivering an\u00a0 advanced technology plant which will be of great assistance in the stability of the National Interconnected System\u2019s operations\u201d, declares ENGIE Brasil Energia\u2019s Chief Executive Officer, Eduardo Sattamini. Among the technological advantages of Pampa Sul TPP, the executive points to a series of equipment designed to improve plant operations and reduce emissions into the atmosphere.\u00a0 \u201cWe have overcome many difficulties such as the delay in the construction of the Candiota II Substation, at the same time, demonstrating major executional capability\u201d, the executive added.<\/p>\n

As well as collaborating with the domestic electric sector, Pampa Sul has also brought growth to the economy of the state of Rio Grande do Sul as a whole. \u201cThe thermal power plant is a landmark event for the region, because since construction work began, it has brought development to the south of the state through investments, employment and greater opportunities for the local population. With its unveiling, the plant will provide direct jobs for \u00a0100 while a further 100 will be exclusively\u00a0 dedicated to its operations\u201d ENGIE Brasil Energia\u2019s Chief Generation Officer, Jos\u00e9 Laydner points out.<\/p>\n

During the four years UTE Pampa Sul was under construction, a series of socio-environmental programs were\u00a0 introduced for fostering initiatives involving the avoidance, mitigation and offsetting of environmental damage as well as optimizing social investments in the surrounding region. Activities included the focus on physical, biotic and socio-environmental aspects, the results of which were analyzed in the report which subsequently resulted in the issue of the Plant\u2019s Operating License issued by Ibama.<\/p>\n

Among other actions, the Candiota and Hulha Negra communities for example have benefited from the preparation of Master Plans for Urban and Environmental Development which will help towards the structured development of the cities. \u00a0Initiatives were also adopted to help ameliorate the traditional problems of municipal water supply. A new Water Treatment Plant was built in Candiota through an agreement between the City Government and Pampa Sul \u00a0TPP at an\u00a0 investment of approximately R$ 2 million.\u00a0 This installation should meet the demand for water supplies for at least a further 20 years.<\/p>\n

Again, besides the new Water Treatment\u00a0 Plant in Hulha Negra, the reservoir built to supply the Plant will also permit the withdrawal of water for the city itself, a new water main linking the city pending Hulha Negra City Government licensing. \u201cDuring construction work at the Plant, our focus has been equally on actions in Pampa Sul\u2019s sphere of influence in the region and focusing on the principal needs of the communities by assisting in promoting improvements directly\u00a0 impacting people\u2019s quality of life\u201d, ENGIE Brasil Energia\u2019s CEO remarks.<\/p>\n

The entry of the plant into operations is one more step towards its divestment by the Company. In line with its global strategy, in 2015, ENGIE announced its exit from all coal-fired assets. In Brazil, ENGIE closed its Charqueadas Thermoelectric Plant, while the processes for selling the Jorge Lacerda Thermoelectric Complex and Pampa Sul are ongoing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Situated in Candiota (RS), ENGIE\u2019S thermoelectric plant represents an investment worth about R$ 2 billion<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20402","imprensa","type-imprensa","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tipo-release-renewables"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n