Brazil will invest $1 billion in hydroelectric infrastructure to produce hydropower

On August 15, 2025, Brazil’s electricity regulator, Aneel, announced an investment of about 5.5 billion reais ($1 billion) for building small and medium-sized hydroelectric dams.

Aneel stated, “The auction includes 65 power plants with a total capacity of 815 megawatts (MW), each capable of generating up to 50 MW.”

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The 20 contracted projects, which involve new hydropower plants or expansions, are set to begin delivering power in January 2030, as per the auction rules.

Brazil’s Mines and Energy Minister, Alexandre Silveira, announced at an event in Brasilia that the auction represents progress in Brazil’s push for green energy. The proposed small hydropower plants would have a limited impact on the environment.

Silveira said Brazil also plans to expand hydropower from large dams. He mentioned that the potential of the Madeira River in Brazil’s Amazon region has been discussed with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva regarding a new large hydroelectric project, following a cooperation agreement with Bolivia.

Brazil stopped building new large hydroelectric projects after the controversial Belo Monte, which harmed the environment and affected indigenous communities.

(Originally by  Leticia Fucuchima , Edited by Rahman Mahfuz)