Aneel approves new wind, small-scale hydro projects

Brazil's electricity regulator Aneel has authorized the construction of a wind project in Rio de Janeiro state and a small-scale hydro project in Parana state, the company said in a statement. Nova Sistemas de Energia will build the 14.4MW Coqueiro wind project at Sao Joao da Barra. Investment is 36mn reais (US$12.3mn) and operations are due to start up by December 2004. In Parana, pulp and paper producer Santa Maria will own and operate the 47.5mn reais, 29.7MW Salto Curucaca II small-scale hydro project between the municipalities of Candoi and Guarapuava, with operations scheduled to start up by December 2005. Aneel also ruled that the 45mn reias, 28MW Porto das Pedras hydroelectric project should be classified as a small-scale hydroelectric project. Energetica Porto das Pedras is building the project in Mato Grosso do Sul state, with operations due to start up December 2006.