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Belo Monte Received 22 Thousand Visitors in 10 Years. The Free Visiting Program by Norte Energia Includes a Tour of the Fifth Largest Hydroelectric Plant in the World.
The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, located in Vitória do Xingu, in the Southwest of Pará, has been visited by more than 22 thousand people over the past ten years. The free visitation program promoted by Norte Energia allows tourists to closely experience the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world. Interest in the site is driven by the grandeur of the project and its prominent position in the Brazilian energy sector, being one of the largest works of Brazilian engineering.
The Belo Monte plant, one of the largest constructions in Brazilian engineering, not only generates energy but also attracts the curiosity of thousands of visitors. The tourism program, operated by Norte Energia, continues to be a success, offering an educational and fascinating experience for those interested in getting to know one of the most impressive works in the country. The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant remains an important tourist and educational site, contributing to the appreciation and understanding of the Brazilian energy sector.
In the last ten years, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant has received over 22 thousand visitors, including tourists, local residents, and representatives from various institutions, all interested in getting to know the operations of a hydroelectric plant up close. This project is an essential part of “Conheça Belo Monte”, a free visitation program created by Norte Energia to meet the growing demand from the public for information and proximity to the plant.
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Free Visitation Program
Currently, the visit to the plant adds to the various tourist attractions in Xingu, a region rich in cultures and knowledge that delights visitors. During the two-hour guided tour of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant facilities, visitors learn about the vital importance of the clean and renewable energy generated by Belo Monte for the national energy security.
Additionally, visitors receive detailed information about the advanced dam monitoring system, safety and maintenance procedures, and the ongoing efforts by Norte Energia, the plant’s concessionaire, to preserve the fauna and flora of the Amazon, where the hydroelectric plant is located. Belo Monte is a powerhouse in the Brazilian electric sector and attracts the attention of everyone who visits the region, significantly contributing to local tourism.
Regional Tourism and Education
‘It is crucial that we encourage residents and students to learn about the hydroelectric plant, which also acts as a major driver of socioeconomic development,’ emphasizes Eduardo Camillo, superintendent of Institutional Relations at Norte Energia. In the first half of 2024, 1,267 people participated in the program to get to know Belo Monte, demonstrating the growing interest in the project.
Visitors depart from Altamira in a Norte Energia van, and during the approximately 40-minute journey to the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, the guide shares trivia about the hydroelectric plant, allowing passengers to enjoy the landscape along the Trans-Amazonian Highway. Upon arriving at Belo Monte, they are taken to the Visitor Support Center (CAV), where they receive detailed explanations about the Volta Grande do Xingu region, watch videos narrating the plant’s history, and are instructed on safety rules.
Visitor Support Center and Experiences
Inside the hydroelectric plant, participants can closely observe the main structures and learn about the complex process of energy generation that supplies millions of Brazilian homes. They can also enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world. ‘I find it incredible. I didn’t know the things I learned and saw today. I had no idea of the project’s immensity and, especially, that the plant is an international reference and the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world. It’s a valuable experience,’ commented college student Dandra Favacho.
12-year-old student Paulo César was one of the most enthusiastic and curious members of the group. ‘This opportunity to get to know the Belo Monte Plant from the inside is very cool. You can understand a lot about how it works. I liked it a lot. I will encourage my classmates to come too,’ he said excitedly.
Impact of the Hydroelectric Plant on Energy Generation
In the first half of 2024, even with the effects of El Niño that reduced rainfall in the North region, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant was the 100% Brazilian hydroelectric plant that generated the most clean renewable energy for the country. The plant produced 6% (20.14 GWh) of all the energy consumed in Brazil, a volume sufficient to supply 20 million homes. This amount of energy generated by Belo Monte between January and June this year would be enough to serve all households in the North and Midwest regions and the residents of Rio de Janeiro during the same period, highlighting its importance for national energy security.
Source: © pedro.pinheiro@fsb.com.br
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