The impending expiry of leases for about 19GW of Brazilian hydro plants has put the industry in limbo.
The 49 plants’ long-term power-purchase agreements expire at the end of 2012, 2013 or 2014 — and new deals cannot be signed until future leases have been determined.
The issue has become politically charged. The federal government, which owns the sites outright, is coming under pressure from the current leaseholders, which include private companies but are mainly state utilities such as Chesf.
These
