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Belo Monte received 22 thousand visitors in 10 years. Norte Energia's free visitation program includes a tour of the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world.
The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant, located in Vitória do Xingu, in the southwest of Pará, has been visited by more than 22 thousand people over the last ten years. The free visit program promoted by Norte Energia allows tourists to get to know the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world up close. 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 engineering constructions in Brazil, 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 discovering one of the most impressive works in the country. The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant continues to be an important tourist and educational point, contributing to the appreciation and understanding of the Brazilian energy sector.
In the last ten years, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant has received more than 22 thousand visitors, including tourists, residents of the region and representatives of various institutions, all interested in getting to know the workings of a hydroelectric plant up close. This project is an essential part of Meet Belo Monte, a free visitation program created by Norte Energia to meet the population's growing demand 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 that is rich in cultures and knowledge that delight visitors. During the two-hour guided tour of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant facilities, visitors learn about the vital importance of the clean, renewable energy generated by Belo Monte for the national energy security.
Additionally, people receive detailed information about the advanced dam monitoring, safety and maintenance procedures, and the continuous efforts of 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 electricity sector and attracts the attention of everyone who visits the region, contributing significantly to local tourism.
Regional Tourism and Education
'It is crucial that we encourage residents and students to get to know 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 interesting facts about the hydroelectric plant, allowing passengers to enjoy the landscape along the Transamazônica highway. Upon arriving in 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 that narrate the history of the plant and are instructed on safety standards.
Visitor Support and Experience Center
Inside the hydroelectric plant, participants can see the main structures up close and learn about the complex energy generation process that supplies millions of Brazilian homes. They can also enjoy the natural beauty around the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world. 'I think it's incredible. I didn't know about the things I learned and saw today. I had no idea of the immensity of the project and, especially, that the plant is an international reference and the fifth largest hydroelectric plant in the world. It's a valuable experience', commented university student Dandra Favacho.
Student Paulo César, 12 years old, was one of the most enthusiastic and curious in the group. 'This opportunity to see the Belo Monte Plant from the inside is really cool. You can understand a lot about how it works. I really liked. I will encourage my colleagues to come too', he said, excitedly.
Impact of Hydroelectric Power 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 renewable and clean energy for the country. The plant produced 6% (20.14 GWh) of all 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 Central-West regions and residents of Rio de Janeiro in the same period, highlighting its importance for national energy security.
Source: © pedro.pinheiro@fsb.com.br
