The Belo Monte Dam

The solution to Brazil’s energy needs?

Modern challenges such as a rapidly growing population and climate change have focused international attention on the need for plentiful clean energy. Large hydroelectric projects may be a solution. Unfortunately, as this case study demonstrates, such mega-projects can also have negative environmental and social impacts

Michael Roberts

The Xingu River, which will be greatly affected by the building of the Belo Monte Dam

Belo Monte in the Para region of Brazil is set to become the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam. A proposal in the 1980s was defeated by a coalition of native people and environmental organisations. The current project in the same location on the Xingu River was approved by the Brazilian government in 2005 and the building work is underway.

Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest country, and in 2011 it overtook the UK to become the sixth-largest economy. Its population rose from 173 million in 2000 to 199 million in 2014. Consequently, more energy is required to support the growing population and economy.