Brazil awards contract for Belo Monte dam to Norte Energia consortium

The Brazilian energy regulator has awarded the contract to build the 11GW Belo Monte dam on a tributary of the Amazon rainforest, to Norte Energia, a consortium of nine companies, including state energy company Electrobras’s subsidiary Chesf. The project is extremely controversial, as up to 20,000 people, including 800 native Indians will be displaced, as it will flood 400km2 of rainforest.

Photo courtesy of Donizete Tomé/O Eco