Brazil watch: Eletrosul wind construction, Cerim rate cut, Eneva thermo boost

Brazil's state-run utility Eletrosul has begun installing 14 aerogenerators at the 258MW Geribatu wind complex in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The equipment is being mounted at the complex's 28MW Parque 10, Eletrosul said in a statement. Eletrosul holds a 49% stake in Geribatu, with the remainder owned by the FIP Rio Bravo investment fund. *** Electric power cooperative Cerim will reduce power rates by 9.4%, industry power regulator Aneel ruled on Tuesday. The change will take effect on October 30 and will be backdated to October 30, 2012 due to the postponement of the original tariff review schedule, Aneel said in a statement. Cerim's distribution area is in the city of Itu, São Paulo state. *** Brazil's mining and energy ministry ( MME) has declared the Maranhão V thermoelectric plant a priority project. Located in the city of Santo Antônio dos Lopes in Maranhão state, the 338MW facility is operated by Eneva Energia, formerly known as MPX. The decision means Eneva will be able to issue infrastructure debentures with tax benefits for investors, MME said.