A viabilidade ambiental de usinas hidrelétricas e a aplicação da avaliação ambiental estratégica no Brasil

Abstract

Brazil has a predominantly renewable origin electricity generation matrix, with hydrogeneration accounting for about 69% of the supply. This thesis promotes hydropower projects in Brazil environmental licensing procedure critical assessment, with the aim of identifying and assessing possible solutions to enhance the process, especially through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) application to hydroelectric generation expansion planning processes. The environmental licensing procedure critical evaluation was carried out by means of a bibliographical review of already published studies in the area and also by reviewing all the federal environmental licensing processes for hydroelectric plants that had been through the prior licensing phase. It is also discussed how the concept of environmental viability has been applied by The Brazilian Environmental Institute (IBAMA), to support the issuing of environmental permits of hydropower projects. It was concluded that impact assessment has led to significant environmental improvements, as it is capable of preventing, controlling and compensating significant - and very often irreversible - environmental impacts, especially through projects optimization and environmental programs that were not initially foreseen in the EIA inclusion. However, as has been expounded throughout this study, there are still several gaps and limitations in the current process, both in power generation expansion planning aspect and project environmental impact assessment aspect. SEA application in the planning phase could contribute to facilitate and simplify hydroelectric plants licensing.