Brazil holds hydropower nameplate capacity consultation

Brazil's mines and energy ministry will take public comments from power market participants to review new hydroelectric plant nameplate generation capacity values.

The new numbers were the result of a previous public consultation, which reviewed the methodology and other factors related to calculating nameplate generation capacity.

The mines and energy ministry calculates nameplate capacity when plants first receive their concession to operate. Since this figure is rarely revised — with revisions being capped at 5pc/year for a total of 10pc over the entire concession — real capacity runs at a deficit to Brazil's hydroelectric capacity in contracts, as rivers and other water flows change with time and human intervention. Reviewing the country's total nameplate generation capacity is one of the main demands of the power sector since there is no way of knowing if Brazil's current hydro capacity on paper corresponds to reality.

The new public comment period will run from 12-29 August and be open to input on the preliminary values determined following the previous consultation. Hydro plants have the same period to give feedback on their new capacity figures.

By Rebecca Gompertz