Brazil gives green light to another hydro project to compete in power tender

Brazil's electric power watchdog Aneel has approved another hydroelectric power plant expansion project aimed at participating in the next backup capacity tender. 

The project involves expanding the installed capacity of the São Simão plant, owned by São Simão Energia. 

Located on the Paranaíba river between Minas Gerais and Goiás states, the expansion will add 311MW of power to the electricity system.

This is the 11th hydroelectric project approved by the regulator to compete in the auction. Combined, the proposed undertakings will contribute an additional 4.58GW. 

Scheduled to take place on June 27, the backup capacity tender will contract both new and existing gas and biofuel-fired plants, as well as existing hydroelectric plants. The hydroelectric plants are those that expand their installed capacity by adding new generating units.  

Companies interested in participating in the auction must register their projects with energy research company EPE by February 14.