Cotesa Small Hydro Power Plants

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The Brazilian company Cotesa S.A. was granted authorizations to build four small hydro power plants located in the state of Santa Catarina (12 MW in total capacity). The 30-year contracts were signed with the regulatory agency ANEEL in June 2008. Construction works started in 2009, and the units are expected to be operational by 2011. The four units have the following capacities: Sao Sebastiao (3,7 MW); Sao Valentim (2,4 MW); Nova Trento (1,55 MW); and Aguti (3,8 MW). All power plants are located at the same river, Alto Braco, in the municipality of Nova Trento. In 2009, Cotesa committed to invest US$ 30 million (BRL 60 million) in the construction of the four PCHs. As of August 2011, PCH Aguti started commercial operation, while the Sao Valentin and Sao Sebastiao were in the early stages of the construction works. Operations commenced in the following dates: - PCH Sao Valentim: December 2009; - PCH Aguti: November 2011; - PCH Sao Sebastiao: October 2012.