(Des)matando as Hidrelétricas: A Ameaça do Desmatamento na Amazônia para a Energia do Brasil

The report demonstrates a causal link between Amazonian deforestation and reduced hydroelectric output in Brazil, affecting plants both within the Amazon and in distant regions like the Paraná Basin. Through case studies of the Teles Pires and several Paraná Basin plants, it quantifies energy and financial losses, highlighting that 17 of Brazil's 20 largest hydroelectric plants are exposed to the 'flying rivers' mechanism. The document argues that forest conservation is essential for national energy security and suggests targeted restoration policies based on land tenure categories.

• Deforestation in the Amazon negatively impacts the capacity and revenue of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) nationwide, including those located far from the Amazon biome, by disrupting the 'flying rivers'—moisture-laden air currents that regulate rainfall patterns.
• A case study of the Teles Pires HPP in Mato Grosso found that deforestation between 1985 and 2020 led to a monthly generation loss between 2.5% and 10%, resulting in an average annual revenue reduction of R$ 118 million.
• Deforestation in the Amazon causes generation losses for plants in the Paraná Basin, approximately 3% of generation. For the Salto HPP, this corresponds to a potential annual profit loss of approximately 10% for the controlling company.
• The impact of deforestation on energy generation varies by land tenure category; for the Teles Pires HPP, Indigenous Lands (TI) are the most influential category (41.6% of the most relevant area), while for Paraná Basin plants, private rural properties registered in Sigef are the most significant (approximately 40%).
• Reduced hydroelectric generation due to deforestation may compromise national energy security and increase electricity prices, potentially forcing a shift toward more expensive and polluting fossil-fuel thermoelectric plants.

APA

Pinto, G. R. S., Arbache, J., Antonaccio, L., & Chiavari, J. (2024). (Des)matando as Hidrelétricas: A Ameaça do Desmatamento na Amazônia para a Energia do Brasil. Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PB-Desmatando-as-Hidreletricas.pdf

Chicago

Pinto, Gustavo R. S., João Arbache, Luiza Antonaccio, and Joana Chiavari. (Des)matando as Hidrelétricas: A Ameaça do Desmatamento na Amazônia para a Energia do Brasil. Climate Policy Initiative, 2024. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PB-Desmatando-as-Hidreletricas.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Pinto |first1=Gustavo R. S. |last2=Arbache |first2=João |last3=Antonaccio |first3=Luiza |last4=Chiavari |first4=Joana |title=(Des)matando as Hidrelétricas: A Ameaça do Desmatamento na Amazônia para a Energia do Brasil |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=2024 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PB-Desmatando-as-Hidreletricas.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{pinto2024desmatando, author = {Pinto, Gustavo R. S. and Arbache, João and Antonaccio, Luiza and Chiavari, Joana}, title = {{(Des)matando as Hidrelétricas: A Ameaça do Desmatamento na Amazônia para a Energia do Brasil}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PB-Desmatando-as-Hidreletricas.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }