3,150-MW Santo Antonio Hydropower Project in Brazil to Launch in 2011

Brasilia, Brazil Santo Antonio Energia aims to launch commercial operations at the 3,150-MW Santo Antonio hydropower project in Brazil by December 2011, a spokesperson for the firm told wire services.

The hydro plant is being built on the Madeira River in the Amazon region.

Construction is now 29 percent complete, according to reports.

Brazilian power company Eletrobras Furnas holds a 39 percent stake in the Madeira Energia group that controls Santo Antonio Energia.

Eletrobras previously announced plans to boost investments this year for some of the country's largest hydropower and electricity transmission projects.

Eletrobras, Latin America's largest power holding utility, plans to increase investment to 9 billion reais (US$5.1 billion) this year from 5.4 billion reais (US$2.96 billion) in 2009, company leaders said earlier in 2010.

The company will prioritize investments in developing major power projects this year, including the 3,300-MW Jirau and 3,150-MW Santo Antonio hydro plants, wire services reported.