The Santo Antônio Hydropower is the world’s #1 in sustainability
Of all the projects assessed globally, the International Hydropower Association
awarded it the highest number of top marks in the Implementation category
Porto Velho, Brazil, April 12, 2015 - The Santo Antônio Hydropower reached the
highest number of top marks in the Implementation category in an assessment made
by IHA – the International Hydropower Association - a non-profit organization founded
almost twenty years ago with UNESCO's support, which measures the sustainability of
hydropower projects.
In 2011, the IHA developed a sustainability assessment tool specifically for hydropower
projects based on criteria that are applied globally. Representatives of institutions with
sustainability benchmarks contributed to the initiative. Among the partners involved
are organizations of global importance such as The Nature and WWF.
The assessment can be made based on four protocol models: projects at an early
stage, under preparation, under implementation, and operating. The Santo Antônio
Hydropower was included in the Implementation Protocol.
For this, 20 topics are evaluated: Communication, Governance, Social and
Environmental Issues, Integrated Project Management, Infrastructure Safety, Financial
Viability, Project Benefits, Procurement and Contracting, Communities Affected by the
Project and Way of Life, Resettlement, Indigenous Population, Manpower and Working
Conditions, Cultural Heritage, Public Health, Biodiversity and Invasive Species, Erosion
and Sedimentation, Water Quality, Residues, Noise and Air Quality, Reservoir Filling,
Flow Regime and Downstream. These topics are based on different items: evaluation,
management, communication with stakeholders, stakeholder support, accordance,
compliance, and results.
Top marks accounted for 70% of the total
For this assessment, 375 documents were submitted, 283 interviews were conducted
with Santo Antônio Energia professionals, the community - including resettled persons,
prospectors and the indigenous population - government agencies, professionals from
other companies etc.
The entire evaluation process took a year, and the marks are based on the
documentation, interviews and field visits of the IHA team. This assessment
strengthens the Santo Antônio hydropower plant’s commitment to global best
practices in sustainability, placing Brazil on the global stage.
Santo Antônio Energia
Santo Antônio Energia is the concessionaire responsible for the construction and
operation of the Santo Antônio hydropower, located on the Madeira River in Porto
Velho (Rondônia State), and for marketing the generated energy. The Santo Antônio
Energia shareholders are Furnas (39%), Odebrecht Energia (18.6%), SAAG (12.4%),
Cemig (10%) e Caixa FIP Amazônia Energia (20%).
Press Contacts:
Institutional Relations
Paulo Damião - +55 (11) 99962-9033 / +55 (11) 3702-2271
[email protected]
CDN – Comunicação Corporativa
Marisol Morão – +55 (11) 3643-2789 – [email protected]
Patricia Pesce – +55 (11) 3643-2773 – [email protected]
Dora Lopes – +55 (11) 3643-2793 - [email protected]