In spite of the legal battles surrounding the executive control of electric utility Cemig, Brazil’s hydroelectric construction programme continues regardless.
A total of six dam projects are scheduled for completion by the year 2002. They are:
•Porto Estrela (112MW), the most advanced project.
•Pai Joaquim (23MW).
•Aimores (330MW).
•Queimados (105MW).
•Funil (180MW).
•Irape (360MW.
Most of these are self-financing, through special purpose companies keen to win over clients for Brazil’s free access electricity supply system, which is due to start up in 2003.
Cemig’s president, Djalma Bastos de Morais, says that at least one major energy supply contract is ready to be signed with a large company in Sao Palo state.