Brasília - This year the Bank of Brazil (BB) has already provided US$ 1.02 billion (R$ 3 billiion) in loans to seven hydroelectric power plant construction projects and is analyzing two more projects in the same area, according to the bank's press office.

The projects for which loans have already been contracted will make possible the generation of 6,173 gigawatt hours annually (GWH/year). In addition, they will create 14 thousand direct jobs during the construction phase.

The BB is also studying various other projects in the energy sector, such as plans authorized by the Incentive Program for Alternative Energy Sources (Proinfa) and ones geared to investments in power lines and modernization of the energy distribution system.

Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
09/02/2004