Analysis of economic and environmental aspects in Belo Monte hydroelectric project, Pará

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the economic and environmental aspects of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant in order to assess the process of hydropower planning in the Xingu basin and conflicts of interest involving the Project. Understood as a work of great importance to the electrical supply and to national economic growth, the Belo Monte hydroelectric generator is the object of several conflicts between local populations of the Xingu River basin and the national interest. The methodology adopted exploratory, qualitative and bibliographical character by collecting information about the hydrology and climatology of the Xingu River basin , the survey of articles, books and government documents, and a data processing based on the alignment of economic and environmental aspects of Belo Monte in order to constrain a broad analysis of the aspects that surround this new development. The investigation concluded that this is a work of questionable economic viability and some irreversible environmental impacts. These factors contribute to the existence of two basic levels of positioning against Belo Monte, who aims, by means of energy supply, national economic growth, diffuse interests and those suffering the impacts of specific works, represented by local and affected is from these differences that hatch conflicts of interest on Belo Monte.