Minister: Eletrobrás to request concessions totaling 1.5GW-plus

Brazil's federal power holding company Eletrobrás in coming weeks will request concessions for five hydroelectric plants in Peru that will exceed a combined 1.5GW, according to the latter country's energy and mines minister Juan Valdivia. One plant is planned for Junín region, another in Huancavelica and three between Puno and Madre de Dios, Valdivia said. Once granted, the temporary concessions allow feasibility studies to be carried out, usually within 24 months. Eletrobrás is in the process of securing water use rights from the respective regions, Peru's state news agency Andina quoted Valdivia as saying. Last month, a delegation of company executives and representatives of Brazil's government visited Peru to analyze energy projects, which followed the signing of an energy integration deal between both countries in May.