OREANDA-NEWS. August 03, 2015. The Jirau hydro power plant reached 2,475 MW of installed capacity after commercial operation of the 33rd turbine was officially approved by the Electricity Energy Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). With this key milestone Jirau achieves full assured energy 1 of 2,185 MW average, and meets its contractual obligations with the distribution companies established through energy auctions.

Jirau turbines have been operating successfully, with positive overall performance, demonstrating good availability levels and operational flexibility. 

Located on the Madeira River, in the State of Rondônia, in Northern Brazil, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 3,750 MW making it the fourth largest hydropower plant in Brazil.

The plant will reduce the necessity for thermal generation in Brazil, thus, effectively reducing national GHG emissions by 6 million tons per year. Jirau will produce enough clean and renewable energy to meet the electricity demand of 10 million Brazilian households.

Full commissioning of all 50 generation units is expected to be reached in 2016.

1 – The Assured Energy of a plant is its Commercial Capacity, (i.e. the maximum amount possible to be sold through bilateral contracts) Assured Energy is the system capacity to supply demand  assuming an acceptable level of risk. The Jirau hydro power plant is contracted under 30-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with a pool of distribution companies, with the remaining Commercial Capacity contracted to the shareholders ENGIE, Chesf and Eletrosul.

About ENGIE

ENGIE develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take on the major challenges of energy’s transition to a low-carbon economy: access to sustainable energy, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, security of supply and the rational use of resources. The Group provides individuals, cities and businesses with highly efficient and innovative solutions largely based on its expertise in four key sectors: renewable energy, energy efficiency, liquefied natural gas and digital technology. ENGIE employs 152,900 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €74.7 billion in 2014. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and Euronext Vigeo (World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120 and France 20).