History and Corporate Profile

1975

Eletronorte initiates the studies for the Hydroelectric Inventory of the Xingu River Basin. First mapping of the river and dam location project was completed.

1980

Once the inventory is concluded, studies begin for the construction of the Altamira Hydroelectric Complex, with the Babaquara (6.6 thousand MW) and Kararaô (11 thousand MW) plants – the latter originated the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant. According to the study of that period, the plants would demand the relocation of seven thousand indigenous people, from 12 indigenous areas.

1989

Conclusion of the first feasibility studies for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant. Discrepancies about the socio-environmental impact led to the suspension of financing for the project.

1994

Feasibility Studies Review, with reduction of the flooded area and ensuring that indigenous lands are not flooded.

2002

Submission of new surveys to ANEEL. The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is suspended by request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

2005

July 2005 – Brazilian National Congress authorizes Eletrobras to conclude the EIA.

2006

• January 2006 – Eletrobras requests the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) to open the process for prior environmental licensing. The EIS begins to be developed.
• March 2006 – IBAMA conducts the first technical inspection in the project area.

2007

• August 2007 – IBAMA performs technical inspection and public meetings in the municipalities of Altamira and Vitória do Xingu to discuss the Terms of Reference for the EIS.
• December 2007 – IBAMA issues the Term of Reference for the EIS.

2008

July 2008 – The Conselho Nacional de Política Energética defines that the only hydroelectric potential to be operated on the Xingu River will be the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant. ANEEL approves the Inventory update only with this plant in the Xingu river basin.

2009

• March 2009 – Eletrobras applies for the Preliminary License.
• April 2009 – IBAMA conducts a new technical audit in the project area.
• May 2009 – EIS and Environmental Impact Report (RIMA) are delivered to IBAMA. 

2010

• February 2010 – IBAMA issues the Preliminary License for the work. However, IBAMA also sets 40 requirements for compliance.
• April 2010 – The Brazilian Federal Government holds the concession auction for the building and operation of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant for 35 years.

2011

June 2011 – IBAMA issues the Installation License 795/2011, which allows the start of the works of Belo Monte HPP. On the same date, the works are initiated.

2015

November 2015 – IBAMA grants Operating License 1317/2015 for Belo Monte HPP. Construction of the Power Plant’s reservoirs begins.

2016

• February 2016 – Conclusion of filling the reservoirs. First test of mechanical rotation of the Generating Unit 01 of the Main Power Station.
• April 2016 – Start of the commercial operation of the Enterprise with the authorization of the Generating Units 01 of the Main and Additional Power Stations by ANEEL. 
• June 2016 – Start of commercial operation of the second Generating Unit of the venture’s Additional Power Station.
• July 2016 – The second Generating Unit of the Main Power Station is incorporated into the National Interconnected System (SIN) and commercial production on this machine is authorized by ANEEL.
• August 2016 – Permission from ANEEL for commercial operation of the third Generating Unit in the Additional Power Station, totaling five turbines in operation.
• November 2016 – Start of commercial operation of Generating Unit 03 of the Main Power Station and Generating Unit 04 of the Additional Power Station.

2017

• January 2017 – Start of commercial operation of Generating Unit 04 of the Main Power Station and Generating Units 05 and 06 of the Additional Power Station. Thus, the Additional Power Station is 100% operational.
• April 2017 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 05 of the Main Power House, delivering an additional 611.11 MW to the SIN. 
• July 2017 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 06 of the Main Power Station.
• October 2017 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 07 of the Main Power Station, totaling, in 2017, the installed potential for Commercial Operation of 4,510.87 MW.

2018

• February 2018 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 08 of the Main Power Station.
• June 2018 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 09 of the Main Power Station. 
• October 2018 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 10 of the Main Power Station. 
• November 2018 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 11 of the Main Power Station. 
• December 2018 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 12 of the Main Power Station, totaling, in 2018, the installed potential for Commercial Operation of 7,566.42 MW.

2019

• May 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 13 of the Main Power Station. 
• June 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 14 of the Main Power Station. Belo Monte HPP officially becomes the largest 100% Brazilian hydroelectric plant.
• August 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 15 of the Main Power Station.
• September 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 16 of the Main Power Station. 
• October 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 17 of the Main Power Station. 
• November 2019 – Start of Commercial Operation of Generating Unit 18 of the Main Power Station. Belo Monte HPP reaches a total of 11,233.1 MW of installed capacity – 11,000 MW from the Main Power Station and 233.1 MW from the Additional Power Station, in Pimental. Fully concluded and ready for full operation, Belo Monte is officially inaugurated on November 27, 2019.