Companies interested in taking part in the auction for the 11,200-MW Belo Monte hydroelectric project must submit application documents by Jan. 29, Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry reported.
The auction date has not been set, but officials say it could be held the first quarter of 2010. The auction previously has faced delays which stem largely from difficulties in securing an environmental license for the project, Reuters reported. (HydroWorld 11/19/09)
The Belo Monte project will be built on the Xingu River and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2014. It will be Brazil’s second-largest power plant behind the Itaipu hydroelectric project in southern Brazil.
Guidelines for the auction have been established.
At least 70 percent of the power generated by Belo Monte must be sold to distribution companies, the ministry said.
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