Hydro, wind to propel Brazil capacity growth

Brazil will add 7.12GW of capacity to its power grid this year, driven by hydroelectric and wind projects, according to industry regulator Aneel.

Hydropower plants will account for 4.0GW while wind farms will contribute 2.4GW, Aneel said in its newly published annual generation forecast.

Among plants that will start or expand their operations this year are the 11.2GW Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, the 90MW Cristalândia wind complex and the 590MW Mauá thermal facility.

Also due online are the Nova Olinda (292MW), Ituverava (254MW) and Pirapora (192MW) solar parks.

See Brazil's top power generation projects here

Aneel said developers brought online 9.53GW of capacity in 2016, the highest figure since records began in 1998.

Some 5.0GW came from hydropower, 2.56GW from wind, 1.76GW from thermopower and 203MW from small hydropower.

The generation ramp-up comes despite a prolonged recession that has eroded electricity demand and led to fears of a supply glut.

Brazil's installed capacity stands at around 149GW, according to the latest mining and energy ministry figures.