Pampa Sul Thermoelectric Power Plant begins commercial operations
On June 28, the Pampa Sul Hydroelectric Power Plant, built by ENGIE at an investment of more than R$ 2 billion, received National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) authorization to begin generation on a commercial scale. The feasibility of the project was assured following the A-5 auction of November 2014 – prior to the ENGIE Group announcing its planned global strategy for relinquishing all coal-fired generation activities – and construction work began in June 2015 upon receipt of the Installation License from the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Coal-fired and with an installed capacity of 345 MW, the plant is the largest to be built in the South of Brazil in recent years. Its construction was the responsibility of SDEPCI, a Chinese company with vast experience in work involving state of the art technology for the thermal generation segment. “We are delivering an advanced technology plant which will be of great assistance in the stability of the National Interconnected System’s operations”, declares ENGIE Brasil Energia’s Chief Executive Officer, Eduardo Sattamini. Among the technological advantages of Pampa Sul TPP, the executive points to a series of equipment designed to improve plant operations and reduce emissions into the atmosphere. “We have overcome many difficulties such as the delay in the construction of the Candiota II Substation, at the same time, demonstrating major executional capability”, the executive added.
As well as collaborating with the domestic electric sector, Pampa Sul has also brought growth to the economy of the state of Rio Grande do Sul as a whole. “The thermal power plant is a landmark event for the region, because since construction work began, it has brought development to the south of the state through investments, employment and greater opportunities for the local population. With its unveiling, the plant will provide direct jobs for 100 while a further 100 will be exclusively dedicated to its operations” ENGIE Brasil Energia’s Chief Generation Officer, José Laydner points out.
During the four years UTE Pampa Sul was under construction, a series of socio-environmental programs were introduced for fostering initiatives involving the avoidance, mitigation and offsetting of environmental damage as well as optimizing social investments in the surrounding region. Activities included the focus on physical, biotic and socio-environmental aspects, the results of which were analyzed in the report which subsequently resulted in the issue of the Plant’s Operating License issued by Ibama.
Among other actions, the Candiota and Hulha Negra communities for example have benefited from the preparation of Master Plans for Urban and Environmental Development which will help towards the structured development of the cities. Initiatives were also adopted to help ameliorate the traditional problems of municipal water supply. A new Water Treatment Plant was built in Candiota through an agreement between the City Government and Pampa Sul TPP at an investment of approximately R$ 2 million. This installation should meet the demand for water supplies for at least a further 20 years.
Again, besides the new Water Treatment Plant in Hulha Negra, the reservoir built to supply the Plant will also permit the withdrawal of water for the city itself, a new water main linking the city pending Hulha Negra City Government licensing. “During construction work at the Plant, our focus has been equally on actions in Pampa Sul’s sphere of influence in the region and focusing on the principal needs of the communities by assisting in promoting improvements directly impacting people’s quality of life”, ENGIE Brasil Energia’s CEO remarks.
The entry of the plant into operations is one more step towards its divestment by the Company. In line with its global strategy, in 2015, ENGIE announced its exit from all coal-fired assets. In Brazil, ENGIE closed its Charqueadas Thermoelectric Plant, while the processes for selling the Jorge Lacerda Thermoelectric Complex and Pampa Sul are ongoing.
ABOUT ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2022: 82.6 billion Euros.
In Brazil, ENGIE, leader in 100% renewable power generation in the country, operates in generation, commercialization and transmission of electric power, gas transport and energy solutions. The Company
has in the country an installed capacity of 12,5 GW, originated from renewable sources and with low GHG emissions, such as hydro, solar and biomass power plants, and windfarms.
With the acquisition of Transportadora Associada de Gás – TAG, ENGIE now also owns the largest natural gas transportation network in the country, at 4,500 km and transecting 10 states and 191 cities.
The Group has a complete portfolio of integrated solutions focused on reducing costs and improving the infrastructure for companies and cities, such as energy efficiency, public lighting, energy monitoring and management.
With 2,800 employees, ENGIE’s turnover in Brazil in 2023 was of R$ 11.7 billion. ENGIE trades on the B3 through its energy generation and trading company, ENGIE Brasil Energia, under the ticker EGIE3. In addition to being a B3 Novo Mercado component, the Company is one of the very few companies that have been listed in the Business Sustainability Index since its creation in 2005. In 2021, ENGIE Brasil Energia was included in the Carbon-Efficient Index (ICO2), made up of IBrX 100 companies that are most transparent in terms of GHG emissions reporting and how they are preparing for a low-carbon economy.
The company also received in May 2024 the certification Great Place to Work, a recognition which validates the continuous commitment of the company to create a positive and inclusive work environment for all.
The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120/France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).