Amador Aguiar I & II Hydroelectric Modernization

Kontrakt signert for modernisering

In January 2025, Omexom Brazil signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with the Capim Branco Energia Consortium (CCBE) to modernize the protection, control, and instrumentation systems of the Amador Aguiar I and II hydroelectric power plants, which together have a total installed capacity of 450 MW. This extensive modernization represents the largest hydroelectric upgrade project in Brazil by both technical scope and financial scale.

Automatiseringssystemer oppgraderes komplett

The project involves a comprehensive overhaul of automation and protection systems for all three generating units at each plant, along with upgrades to spillways, auxiliary services, and substations. The new automation system will manage startup and shutdown procedures, generating unit operations, auxiliary systems, and water intake/spillway functions using a highly integrated setup of operation servers, history servers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), local HMIs, and network switches. This system will improve operational efficiency and provide operators with more accurate, timely data.

Elektrisk beskyttelse med ny teknologi

Significant enhancements are also being made to the electrical protection systems of all six 80 MW generators, six 100 MVA transformers, short transmission lines, and 138 kV transmission lines, deploying 50 intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) for faster fault detection, higher electrical safety, and improved grid stability. A key innovation of the project is the introduction of IO-Link network technology for instrumentation, integrating over 1,300 instruments such as pressure, temperature, flow, and position transmitters into a unified and intelligent network, enhancing data accuracy and diagnostics.

Infrastrukturoppgradering med faseplan

The modernization includes upgrades to the electrical infrastructure with 57 self-supporting columns and more than 150 control and instrumentation panels, laying the foundation for future digital and automated operations. The phased four-year timeline from 2025 to 2029 enables continuous plant operation by upgrading one generating unit per plant each year, minimizing downtime and disruptions.

Miljøfokus og partnerskap styrkes

Sustainability is embedded in the project with measures such as the use of electric vehicles on-site to reduce CO2 emissions. The project builds on a strong, long-standing partnership between Omexom Brazil and CCBE, leveraging shared technical expertise and collaboration to support the modernization of Brazil’s hydropower assets and promote decarbonization of the national electricity matrix.

Modernisering sikrer energiframtiden

Hydropower remains a key element of Brazil’s energy mix, accounting for nearly half the nation’s installed capacity as of April 2025. Modernizing aging infrastructure like Amador Aguiar I & II is vital for maintaining energy reliability, maximizing renewable output, and securing Brazil’s long-term energy future.