Brazil talks energy supply in Roraima
Brazil’s National Defense Council met today (Feb. 27) with Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque to discuss the provision of electric energy to the northern state of Roraima, in the Brazilian Amazon. The agenda included the license of a 500 kV transmission line between the cities of Manaus, state capital of Amazonas, and Boa Vista, capital city of Roraima. The assembly was chaired by President Jair Bolsonaro.
The only Brazilian state not integrated into the country national grid, Roraima has been served by the energy generated in Venezuela since 2001. The construction of the transmission line will bring the state to the Brazilian network.
The National Defense Council is an consultation agency for affairs related to national, political, and external security.
Transmission line
Granted in 2011, the initiative is in the process of environmental licensing because of an impasse with Waimiri-Atroari indigenous people, who live in the area. Of the 721 km covered by the transmission line, some 123 km would run through their territory.
The transmission line was designed to run parallel to road BR-174, which crosses the indigenous land. Of the total 1,440 transmission towers expected to be installed on the line, 250 to 300 towers would be located in the territory. A possible solution may include reducing the distance between the transmission towers and the highway, which would mitigate the environmental impact in the area.
In March last year, the government resumed its talks with the Waimiri-Atroari, but the latter brought the negotiations to a halt claiming the government had not listened to the community. In December last year, the Ministry of Mines and Energy said the permit was expected to be granted in March this year.
