In 2023, the Belo Monte Empreende Program, in partnership with the Amazon Entrepreneurship Center (CEA), moved forward to train entrepreneurs for sustainable businesses in the Belo Monte HPP region. The program, divided into four phases (Awakening, Pre-Acceleration, Demoday and Acceleration), included in-person workshops that served more than 550 participants, of which 62% were women.
During the year, we completed the Awakening phase for indigenous and urban populations, selected 75 ideas out of 129 and moved on to Pre-Acceleration. At Demoday, 38 ideas were presented to a panel of judges, resulting in 18 teams being selected for the final Acceleration phase. This stage, which ended in August 2024, offered mentoring in several areas to the selected teams.
Belo Monte Community (BMC) implemented several actions in 2023, focusing on nine axes: Citizenship, Preventive Health, Environmental Education, Art and Culture, Education, Sports, Volunteering, Digital Inclusion and Job and Income Generation.
Among the main initiatives, the following stand out:
These actions expanded the program’s impact, promoting development and inclusion in the communities surrounding the Belo Monte HPP.
In 2023, in partnership with the Municipal Department of Education of Altamira, Norte Energia launched the Permear Project, aimed at training teachers on indigenous histories and cultures, in accordance with Federal Law No. 11,645/2008.
The pilot project, lasting 112 hours, trained 37 elementary school teachers in four modules. It featured the participation of ten indigenous teachers, who shared their own cultures and stories, promoting a more authentic and engaging approach.
This innovative initiative not only trained teachers but will also impact more than 4,000 students, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032.
Norte Energia adopts a sustainable development strategy, integrating value creation for shareholders, society, local communities, and the environment. The company undertakes actions to enhance the positive impacts of its operations while mitigating, compensating, or addressing negative effects.
The impacts of the power plant were identified through environmental studies conducted in 2009, following guidelines issued by environmental agencies. During full operation, the positive effects include economic and social development, job creation, improvements in education, healthcare, and quality of life, as well as increased tax revenues. Meanwhile, the negative impacts involve issues related to land use, navigation, and biodiversity, which are managed through programs outlined in the General Basic Environmental Project (PBA Geral) and the Indigenous Component Basic Environmental Plan (PBA-CI).
Norte Energia implements socio-environmental initiatives approved by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai). These initiatives aim to prevent, mitigate, repair, and compensate for impacts while adhering to best environmental practices. They include environmental education, social and technical assistance, basic sanitation, healthcare, cultural preservation, fauna and flora conservation, and forest restoration in permanent preservation areas.
The PBA-CI focuses on ensuring the physical and cultural integrity of indigenous populations and the preservation of their territories. The company has developed and continues to implement 117 plans and projects under the PBA and 27 under the PBA-CI, meeting the conditions set by environmental licenses issued between 2010 and 2015.
Interactions with indigenous peoples take place through face-to-face consultations in Altamira, at the headquarters of the Indigenous Communication Program, as well as through telephone consultations, radio and messages via apps. In 2023, we recorded 7,031 services provided to indigenous people, through the different channels available
The Indigenous Management Committee (CGI) aims to ensure representation in the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures. It is composed of representatives from each of the region’s villages and from non-village indigenous families, Norte Energia and Funai. In addition to the CGI, there is also the Indigenous Committee for Control and Monitoring of Reduced Flow in the Volta Grande do Xingu Section (CTVR) and ten Indigenous Management Subcommittees, to facilitate specific negotiations with each people.
We carried out the Social Follow up and Monitoring Project for Communities Surrounding the Belo Monte HPP, part of the Basic Environmental Project (PBA). Launched in 2013, the project monitors the social conditions of families in the plant’s Direct Area of Influence every six months, using the Family Development Index (IDF) to identify and address cases of vulnerability.
The data, filed annually with Ibama, show stability or improvement in the socioeconomic conditions of the communities over the 11 years. In 2023, the results indicate significant advances in several indicators, especially in housing. Norte Energia has maintained similar socioeconomic conditions to those prior to the project and continues to offer support to communities, including annual social monitoring campaigns.
Throughout 2023, we continued actions aimed at strengthening the fishing and aquaculture sector in the region located in the Area of Influence of the Belo Monte HPP, both within the scope of the Sustainable Fishing Incentive Project and also in compliance with the specific conditions of Operating License No. 131/2015.
Regarding the conditions related to the fishing public, the proposal for projects on technical and social assistance is being discussed with Ibama. The objective is to keep carrying out the actions planned to provide technical assistance for fishing, in the section that is undergoing changes due to the formation of the Xingu reservoir and the Reduced Flow Stretch.
In 2023, on the recommendation of Ibama, we carried out financial compensation in the amount of BRL 20,000 for the people who make up the registry of participatory workshops held by Norte Energia, between 2017 and 2019.
Ao longo de 2023, demos continuidade às ações voltadas ao fortalecimento do setor pesqueiro e aquícola da região localizada na Área de Influência da UHE Belo Monte, tanto no âmbito do Projeto de Incentivo à Pesca Sustentável como também em atendimento às condicionantes específicas da Licença de Operação nº 1317/2015.
Sobre as condicionantes relacionadas ao público pescador, a proposta de projetos sobre assistência técnica e social está sendo tratada com o Ibama. O objetivo é dar sequência no atendimento das ações previstas para realização de assistência técnica de pesca, no trecho que sofre alterações pela formação do reservatório Xingu e do TVR.
Em 2023, por recomendação do Ibama, realizamos a reparação financeira no valor de R$20 mil para as pessoas que compõem o cadastro resultante das oficinas participativas realizadas pela Norte Energia, entre 2017 e 2019.
The electric mobility project (RDI Aneel PD- 07427-0319/2019) implemented the first green corridor in Pará, with the construction of a photovoltaic plant to generate solar Energy on the UFPA university campus in Belém, and the provision of electric buses and an electric boat to transport university students. The project advanced in 2023, with emphasis on the construction of the solar catamaran, which included modifications to improveits performance.
The project “Innovative Strategies for Inspection and Analysis of Critical Structures at the Belo Monte HPP” is transforming the inspection and monitoring of the plant’s structures. Developed in partnership with UFPA and Fadesp, the project uses machine learning and deep learning to analyze data from sensors, UAVs and inspection teams. Focusing on automating and standardizing visual inspections, fault identification and damage detection in real time, the initiative seeks to optimize the management of the plant’s critical structures. With execution between April 2021 and August 2024, the project highlights Norte Energia’s commitment to safety, innovation and sustainability.
The “RPAS MULTI-HYBRID BVLOS” project innovated the monitoring and inspection of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant with an advanced technology drone. Executed between December 2018 and January 2023, the project aimed to replace conventional methods and includes visual inspection, geodetic, thermal and environmental monitoring. The RPAS is a hybrid drone designed for extensive tasks such as dam inspection and monitoring of conservation areas. Developed by the XMobots Institute, the project resulted in a prototype that represents a significant advance in remote monitoring technology.
A Norte Energia reconhece que a colaboração conjunta e sinérgica com atores multilaterais é essencial para alcançar os objetivos de seus compromissos.
Para saber mais sobre as parcerias público-privadas, o terceiro setor, o poder público e as instituições de ensino, além das nossas filiações, consulte o nosso relatório.
At Norte Energia, we prioritize hiring local suppliers to promote the socioeconomic development of the region. In 2023, our base had 2,508 active suppliers, 814 new registrations, 2,753 updates and 2,309 deactivations. Contracts with suppliers from Pará represented 30% of the year’s expenses.
Our procurement procedures are carried out in accordance with electricity sector regulations. We also implement a rigorous approval process to select and contract suppliers, considering aspects of regularity, integrity and risks. In addition, we carry out systematic monitoring and assessments of the socio-environmental performance of suppliers.
All suppliers are assessed according to socio-environmental requirements and the relationship is governed by the company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, focusing on human rights and sustainability. In 2023 no contract was terminated for negative environmental impacts or rights violations.
At Norte Energia, we adopt a tax approach based on transparency and compliance with tax legislation, although we do not have a formal tax strategy. We continually monitor changes to regulations and carefully analyze changes with the support of internal and external legal advisors. Tax compliance is strategic for the company and tax planning seeks to reduce the tax burden in a lawful manner, promoting efficiency and results for shareholders and stakeholders.
Tax obligations are audited annually by external auditors and periodically by tax consulting firms to ensure compliance. The results can be accessed on the Norte Energia website, where the financial statements and the independent auditor’s report are available.
The social impacts of tax management are significant for the Belo Monte HPP region. In 2023, the company highlighted the amounts collected for the municipalities of Pará, including its own taxes, withheld at source, and the Financial Compensation for the Use of Water Resources (CFURH).
In 2023, we recorded a 4% increase in Norte Energia’s net operating revenue, totaling BRL 5,764 million. However, due to the increase in operating expenses, energy sales costs and acquisition for resale, accumulated EBITDA fell 7%, to BRL 3 million. Factors such as higher operating costs, diversion of water to the spillway, reduced rainfall due to the El Niño phenomenon and the drop in the settlement price for differences (PLD) contributed to this result.
The company’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with Brazilian and international accounting practices, including CVM, CPC, IFRS standards and the Brazilian Electricity Sector Accounting Manual, also following Aneel guidelines.
