Quali-Quantitative Analysis of Brazilian Environmental Licensing of Hydropower Plants

Abstract

The use of theextraordinary hydroelectric potential of the Amazon Basin originated anincrease in the offer of renewable energy in Brazil, which, in its turn, leadsto conflicts and a lack of consensus among different players owing to thepotential negative impacts related to the construction and operation of largehydroelectric power plants in relatively well preserved areas. In this context,environmental licensing is one of the national environmental policy’s maininstruments for making decisions regarding the use of the hydroelectric potential,especially the rivers of the Amazon Basin. Nevertheless, this significantinstrument has its limitations and requires adjustments in order to better aidthe decision making process regarding the use of water resources and land withthe goal of increasing the offer of electric energy.