Paraná Advances Environmental Conservation with New Hydroelectric Reservoir Plans
The Instituto Água e Terra accelerates approval of environmental plans for hydroelectric reservoirs in Paraná, backed by significant investments for sustainable energy projects.
- • IAT approved the Environmental Conservation Plan for the Santa Clara Hydroelectric Plant.
- • Since 2019, 12 conservation plans have been approved, with five in 2025 alone.
- • The approval process duration has been reduced by up to three times.
- • Paraná will receive R$1.1 billion for constructing 11 small hydroelectric plants by 2030.
Key details
The Instituto Água e Terra (IAT) is on track to break records in approving environmental conservation and usage plans for artificial reservoirs related to hydroelectric projects in Paraná. The IAT recently approved the Environmental Conservation Plan for the Santa Clara Hydroelectric Plant, located in the municipalities of Candói and Pinhão in the state's Center-South region.
Since 2019, the IAT has validated 12 such plans, known as Pacueras, with five approved just in 2025. Currently, three projects are in their final stages, and 15 additional Pacueras are under technical review. These plans function as territorial planning tools that establish rules for land use and occupation around artificial reservoirs, contributing significantly to environmental preservation. Notable hydroelectric undertakings covered by these plans include the Salto Santiago and Salto Osório plants.
The approval process traditionally takes two to three years but has been expedited by the IAT, reducing the timeframe by up to three times due to enhanced certification and multidisciplinary efforts. These rigorous evaluations align with federal legislation, including Law No. 12.651/2012.
Additionally, Paraná is expected to receive approximately R$1.1 billion in investments over the next two years for constructing 11 small hydroelectric plants (PCHs). These projects, contracted through the New Energy Auction A-5, are projected to start supplying electricity by 2030. This substantial investment supports the state's ongoing commitment to sustainable hydroelectric development and environmental conservation.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
