Energia Sustentavel do Brasil Begins Commercial Operations at Jirau Hydro Plant

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Latin America (Cordoba, Argentina)--On September 6, Energia Sustentavel do Brasil (ESBR), which is controlled by GDF Suez (60%) (Paris, France), Eletrosul Centrais Eletricas (20%) (Florianopolis, Brazil), a subsidiary of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras (NYSE:EBR) (Eletrobras) (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and Companhia Hidro Eletrica do Sao Francisco (20%) (Chesf) (Recife, Brazil), began commercial operations at the first unit at the Jirau hydroelectric power plant in the state of Rondonia, which has a total generating capacity of 3,750 megawatts (MW).

The construction of Jirau began in June 2009, after an investment of approximately $5.11 billion. The facility, located in the municipality of Porto Velho, will be equipped with 50 bulb hydraulic turbines. Half were provided by a joint venture including Alstom S.A. (EPA:ALO) (Levallois-Perret, France), Voith Siemens (Heidenheim an der Brenz, Germany) and Andritz AG (Graz, Austria), and the other 25 bulb hydraulic turbines were provided by the Chinese firm Dong Fang. Each turbine has a capacity of 75 MW.

The energy generated by the first unit is injected into the Acre-Rondonia system; meanwhile, three transmission lines of 550 kV have been commissioned to connect Jirau to the Porto Velho substation, providing energy to the National Grid.

Between six and 10 units belonging to the two powerhouses will be operational before the end of this year, and the remaining will be operational by 2016.

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