Message from the President
We have made important achievements and continue to fulfill our commitments in 2023. Throughout the year, we contribute to the country’s economic and social development, while generating clean, renewable and reliable energy, using the hydroelectric potential of the Xingu river.
In the first half, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant was the largest energy generator in Brazil and Latin America and, in the last six months of the year, even with the El Niño phenomenon, which reduced the flow of rivers in the North region, we collaborated with the energy supply and remained in second place in the ranking.
Another milestone achieved in 2023 was the inauguration of the Northern Operation Center at the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant, which centralized dialogue with the National Electric System Operator (ONS). Furthermore, we have made progress in the primary nature of operation and maintenance processes. Reaffirming our commitment to acting as a development agent in the region, we train and fill vacancies with local labor. The actions were carried out in partnership with the National Service for Industrial Training (Senai) in Altamira.
I would also like to emphasize that the excellence of our electromechanical maintenance and dam safety ensured the availability of all generating units and the preservation of the structural integrity of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex throughout the year.
In addition, we have taken important steps: we have joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact; we have achieved gender parity on our Board of Directors, with six women on its board; and we have published the 2nd Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory, which, for the 2nd consecutive year, received the Gold Seal from the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program.
Recognizing the relevance and attention we must pay to climate change, we have intensified our work on issues related to the topic and to energy transition as well as participated in the UN Climate Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
To what regards biodiversity, in 2023 we launched the Xingu Call for Proposals along with the BNDES, Fundo Vale and Energisa. This is part of the Floresta Viva initiative, which will allocate, over the next four years, up to BRL 26.7 million in non-reimbursable resources to projects to restore degraded areas and strengthen production chains in the Xingu Hydrographic Basin, in the Amazon region.
I would also like to highlight the implementation of Permear, a training project for educators from the Municipal Education Network of Altamira on ethnic-racial issues. Developed in partnership with the Municipal Department of Education, the initiative aims to support the public authorities in implementing Federal Law No. 11,645/2008, which makes the teaching of indigenous and Afro-Brazilian histories and cultures mandatory in Basic Education. Through this public-private partnership, we seek to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032, both declared by the UN.
In 2023, Belo Monte Comunidade, our main social responsibility program, expanded its area of operation, strengthening activities with the riverside population of the Volta Grande do Xingu region. In partnership with Belo Monte Empreende, we offer training in chocolate production, with the participation of indigenous people.
As a result, two brands of the product were launched: Sìdjä Wahiü and Iawá, which participated in the largest chocolate festival in Latin America, with successful sales and awards.
Regarding Human Rights, we continued internal training for our staff and actively participated in forums such as the Social Technical Chamber of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) and the Global Compact’s Electric Energy Sector Working Group.
I am sure our actions have been increasing access to renewable energy sources for Brazilians and enabling the region where we are located to continue advancing towards sustainable development. I invite everyone to delve into this 2023 Sustainability Report, where you will find relevant information about the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant.