Venezuela stands to lose the US$300 million it has invested in the Bolivar to Boa Vista (Brazil) transmission line if environmental campaigners and local indian communities succeed in halting the $407 million project. And the bill may be larger if Edelca (Electrificacion del Caroni) fails to meet its contractual obligations to Electronorte of Brazil under a supply contract signed in 1997 and finds itself liable for penalties.
Local indian communities and green activists have already hindered construction of the line, intended to supply up to 200 MW to Brazil over a 20 year period, which they say will have an unacceptable environmental impact, an interpretation not accepted by Edelca.