The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant is the 2nd largest in Brazil and 3rd largest globally. It is located on the Xingu River, near the town of Altamira, in the state of Pará. With installed capacity of 11,233 MW, it is a run-of-river project. Two reservoirs (Xingu and Intermediate) occupy an area of 359 Km.2 and 116 Km.2 respectively.
Proximity to three Indigenous Group territories triggered Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes. Impacts on critical habitats due to occurrence of endangered species required implementation of several biodiversity offsets. Significant involuntary resettlement was required at Altamira. About 1,241 rural properties belonging to 912 owners were expropriated. Very significant population influx issues were involved.
The project´s many challenges generated much opposition from local stakeholders and both national and international NGOs. The environmental, biodiversity and social management plans and offsets required of the project demanded investments in excess of US$ 1 billion.
In 2012 JGP was selected by Lenders (Caixa Economica Federal / BTG Pactual / BNDES) to conduct the Environmental and Social Due Diligence on the project. Subsequently, JGP was retained as Lender Environmental and Social Consultant, responsible for quarterly monitoring missions and reports during construction (until 2018) and operation (still ongoing).