Roundup: Reserve power auction, new power firm, capacity raise

Brazilian state-run utility holding group Eletrobras (NYSE: EBR) has extended the deadline for projects to apply for the so-called A-3 power reserve auction, set to take place in July. In a statement, Eletrobras said interested companies should submit their power project details by April 13. The auction is for power generated from wind farms, biomass and small hydro plants. Details for the application process can be found at Eletrobras' subsidiaries Furnas, Chesf, Eletronorte and Eletrosul websites. *** Brazil's mines and energy ministry has authorized local power firm Centrais Eólicas dos Araças to act as an independent power producer. In a statement, the ministry allowed the firm to generate and sell power at the 30MW Araças wind farm. The facility will be located in the northeastern state of Bahia. It is planned to go online in September 2013. *** In another development, the mines and energy ministry authorized local power firm Usina Mandú to raise installed capacity at its Mandú thermo to 90MW from the current 65MW. The plant is located in the southeastern state of São Paulo. The facility uses sugarcane bagasse as fuel. According to a ministry regulatory filing, the thermo's upgrade works will be concluded by November 2012.