Rio - Eletrobrás (Brazilian Electric Holding, S.A.) informed that it signed a technical cooperation agreement this week with the China Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Corporation, which is responsible for the construction and operation of the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Plant. The partnership, which was sealed during a visit by Eletrobrás President Silas Rondeau to the site of the plant on the Yangtze River, in China, envisions an exchange of experiences with Itaipu, the world's largest functioning hydroelectric plant, a binational enterprise developed by Brazil and Paraguay. Itaipu's installed potential is 12,600 MW (megawatts), with 18 generators, each producing 700 MW.

Eletrobrás is one of the companies participating in the Expo Brazil China, an event being held in Beijing as part of the commemorations of the 30 years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. According to the Eletrobras press office, the purpose of the exposition is to open business opportunities in China to Brazilian entrepreneurs.

When it is concluded, the Three Gorges Plant, which is the largest hydroelectric project on Earth, will have an installed capacity of 22,500 megawatts (MW), nearly twice the potential of Itaipu. 12 generators are already in operation, producing 8,000 MW, and construction is in full swing.

The note also informs that the President of Eletrobrás, accompanied by the directors of the China Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Corporation, visited the relocation projects that the Chinese government is implementing. "Nearly a million people will be resettled through a social program that reorganizes the communities situated in areas affected by the Three Gorges dam. The population of the region will receive assistance from projects in the area of housing, urbanization, health, education, and generation of employment and income," the note concludes.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nielmar de Oliveira
Translator: David Silberstein
09/02/2004