The basin of the rio Juruena, is a target of 179 projects of hydro power plants

The drainage basin of the rio Juruena, which is located in the north-west of the state of Mato Grosso it is the largest in the state, draining almost 19 million hectares-an area that spans 29 counties. The basin is also concentrated to 23 territories for more than a decade of indigenous peoples. The abundance of water has been drawn to the industry group, whose business ventures have been added to the area. According to the bulletin of the monitoring of the pressure and threat of the indigenous lands in the Basin of the rio Juruena, which is produced by the Operation in the Amazon’s Native (OPAN), you are 179 of the hydroelectric power plants are designed for the region, which represents an increase of 39.8% as compared to the data from 2019, when they were raised up to 128 projects. 

In less than five years old, were added to the list of 51 projects that, on average, more than ten new projects for the year. The dams have affected the internal dynamics of the native peoples. The Enawene nawe are already don’t have enough fish to feed, and the practice of rituals. The tutãra, a mollusc that is used in the construction of a central element of the social organization, Despite that, you run the risk of becoming extinct. “The advancement of the sector, the group poses a threat to food security and in the reproduction of culture of the peoples of the basin,” says Cristian Felipe Rodrigues Pereira, geographer, and author of the report. 

Of these 179 of the project, 20% of which are in operation and 10% in construction, and the other 70% are in the planning stage. In this regard, and taking into consideration that the majority did not come out of the paper, it is still possible to take action to avoid the worst of it. “The situation remains supportive of the efforts of the traditional communities and indigenous peoples pleitearem the best in terms of participation in decision-making about the development of the energy in the valley of Juruena,” says the document.

In addition to the various stages of the implementation of the project will also differ in the ability of the energy. The Hydropower Plants (CGHs) are responsible for 46% of all businesses (82), Small Hydro power Plants account for 40% (72), and the Hydroelectric power plant (HPP) add up to 14% (25). Is worth to remark that the CGHs is characterized by an output power of up to 5 megawatts (MW), while the power Plants up to 30 MW, and the hydroelectric power plants are operating with an output power up to 30 MW.

Due to the limited capability compared to other modes of transport front of the CGHs are facing processes that are less critical for them to get the necessary environmental permits (prior to installation and operation), which has contributed to a significant and steady increase. 2019 to may 2023, the CGHs jumped from 42 to 82 enterprises, an increase of 95% , driven by ease and quickness in acquiring their licensing and legal. 

“To the contrary, of the power Plants and hydroelectric power plants, with the CGHs is presented for the analysis by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel). It’s critical to keep on the alert, on the direct correlation between the increase in the number of CGHs in addition, the flexibility of the environmental laws for this type of project,” says the bulletin.

The location of the projects in sub-basins

In the basin of the rio Juruena, is made up of a series of sub-basins. Of the 179 identified projects in the region, and 23% of them (41) are located in the sub-basin of the upper Juruena, 15 CGHs (37%), And 14 Units (34%), and 11 hydroelectric power plants (29%). It is home to 36% of the projects in operation. In A sub-basin of the rio Arinos accounts for 48 enterprises, of which 34 CGHs (71%), the ten power Plants (21%), and four hydroelectric power plants (8%). In A sub-basin of the Arinos draws attention to itself by focusing on the highest number of CGHs in the watershed (41%).

In A sub-basin of the river of Blood has a 40 ventures, the front of which 14 are CGHs (35%), 20 Units (50%) and 6 of hydroelectric power plants (15%). Already, a sub-basin of the Kite is the subject of the 48 projects, of which 18 CGHs (36%), 27 New Units (57%), and 3 hydroelectric power plants (7%). In this the sub-region, stands out as the area with the largest number of projects in the planning stage (33%), and it also has the largest number of Projects (37%). In A sub-basin of the river St. John to the Bar to close out the list with the other two projects, one STORY, and a power PLANT.

Monitoring

The independent monitoring of the hydro-electric plants in the basin of the rio Juruena, an initiative of the OPAN, which was started in the year 2013. The purpose is to obtain information about the energy plan in the region, and over the dams, which affect or could have an impact on the lives of indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and other social groups and the Juruena rivers. In the period covered by this report includes all data is collected from October, in the year 2022 may 2023.

The methodology involves the collection of information from a variety of sources of public data. The primary source for the information on the web site of the rio de janeiro, where it is possible to carry out consultations, and procedural developments the front of both Plants such as hydroelectric power plants. In addition to this, other sources of information include the Superintendent of the government printing office in the State of Mato Grosso (Iomat, in the Diário Oficial da União (DOU), then the System is Built for Monitoring, Licensing and Environmental Simlam), and the geo-portal, which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Environment in the state of Mato Grosso (SEMA-MT. 

The newsletter is an important tool of information and protection of rights, after all, are the appellants in the case of violations of the rights in cases involving the CGHs and Projects, as detailed in the report, “The Right to be consulted and to Free, Prior, and Informed consent in the state of Mato Grosso,” which is produced by the Operation in the Amazon’s Native (OPAN), in partnership with the centre for the Protocols and reference.