Norte Energia uses an Integrated Environmental Management System (IEMS), based on ABNT NBR ISO 14001:2004, which defines procedures and indicators to promote the continuous improvement of environmental practices. The Environmental Management Plan, provided for in the Basic Environmental Project, integrates and monitors the project's social and environmental plans and projects, which includes the Belo Monte operational phase.
These programs were partnered with universities, cooperatives, associations, and local government bodies, demonstrating the collective effort of building an environmentally responsible culture in the Middle Xingu region.
The 2024 results included:
910 ENVIRONMENTAL DIALOGUES WITH 9,486 PARTICIPANTS, TOTALING 219 DIALOGUE HOURS.
341 ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING COURSES WITH 4,053 PARTICIPANTS, TOTALING 182 HOURS OF TRAINING.
6,326 WORKERS REACHED IN LINE A AND 7,176 IN LINE B, THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIONS.
92 COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS, WITH 961 PARTICIPANTS.
7 ENVIRONMENTAL MULTIPLIER TRAINING COURSES, WITH 72 PARTICIPANTS.
Environmental monitoring and deforestation control: Norte Energia maintains 26,000 hectares of Permanent Preservation Area (PPA) around the Belo Monte Complex reservoirs, with an average width of 500 meters, aiming to protect water quality and the entire aquatic ecosystem.
Within the scope of the Environmental, Social and Asset Management Plan, monitoring and inspection actions are carried out to ensure environmental preservation in PPAs. The plan includes measures to reduce land use conflicts, restore degraded areas, and promote sustainable land use, based on ongoing dialogue with local communities and reservoir users.
Furthermore, the Company maintains constant contact with environmental agencies and other regulatory bodies, contributing to a conservationist culture in the region.
A highlight is the implementation of the Mining Activities Monitoring Project in the area surrounding Volta Grande do Xingu, with the purpose of helping to control illegal activities.
Technical Cooperation Agreement No. 03/2011 signed with Ibama, which was in effect until February 2024, strengthened environmental monitoring and the fight against illegal activities, such as deforestation and illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and predatory fishing. Moreover, information received through listening and whistleblower channels is formally submitted to the authorities (GRI 304-2).
Impacts on biodiversity: Although Belo Monte does not directly intersect conservation units, its area of influence encompasses important protected territories. In the Area of Indirect Influence (AII), the Tabuleiro do Embaubal Wildlife Refuge (4,033 ha) and the Vitória de Souzel Sustainable Development Reserve (22,957 ha) stand out, both managed by the Pará Institute for Forestry Development and Biodiversity (Ideflor-Bio). This region also includes the Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve, managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), with 31% of its area (402,589 ha) considered as AII.
Regarding Indigenous Lands (ILs), the plant's Area of Direct Influence (ADI) fully covers the Paquiçamba IL and part of the Arara da Volta Grande do Xingu IL (57%). The AII also includes portions of the Arara, Koatinemo and Trincheira Bacajá ILs, in addition to the Juruna indigenous area at km 17 and the Juruna reserve (GRI 304-1).Actions for biodiversity conservation: Our Sustainability Policy establishes biodiversity conservation as a central guideline, respecting legal parameters and agreements with competent authorities.
In 2024, the Company expanded its role in the environmental agenda by actively participating in strategic forums such as the Technical Chambers of Biodiversity and Biotechnology (CT Bio-Cebds) and Abrage's Environment Working Group, in addition to joining Business for Nature's global Call to Action, aimed at reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
Environmental programs include monitoring vulnerable and endangered species, as listed by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and MMA Ordinance No. 148/2022. At the Tabuleiro do Embaubal Wildlife Refuge, a fully protected conservation unit in the area of indirect influence of the project, environmental management and education actions are developed in partnership with public agencies.
One of the highlights is the Wildlife Monitoring Program, which uses technologies such as camera traps, ultrasound recorders, unidirectional microphones and environmental DNA for non-invasive species identification. With approximately 70 professionals involved and support from local communities, the program combines traditional knowledge and science, consolidating Norte Energia as a reference in the conservation of Amazonian biodiversity. In 2024, the results were featured in more than 30 national and regional media outlets.
The region's biodiversity is amazing!
Biodiversity in the Belo Monte HPP Area of Influence (AoI) is remarkable. Since the beginning of the fauna monitoring projects in 2012, over 20 campaigns were carried out and 825 different species recorded, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, medium and large mammals and bats.
Monitoring activities combine cutting-edge technology with the traditional knowledge of local communities and technical support from experts at regional educational and research institutions. The data generated is essential for conserving fauna, especially endangered species and those indicative of the environmental quality of habitats (GRI 304-2).
Water is the main input for Norte Energia's operations and, therefore, its conservation is a priority at all stages of the Company's activities. Through the Water Resources Management Plan, studies and continuous monitoring campaigns are carried out to ensure water quality in the area of influence of Belo Monte, integrating environmental, social and hydrodynamic aspects of the Xingu River (GRI 303-1).
The use of water is duly authorized by the following governmental authorities: the Pará State Department for the Environment and Sustainability (Semas) with regard to groundwater, and the National Water Agency (ANA) with regard to surface water and effluent disposal. The Company monitors the quality and quantity of water and liquid effluents periodically, and the results are presented in audits and annual reports sent to Ibama and ANA (GRI 303-2).
During 2024, these actions were implemented continuously, advancing with the inclusion of ongoing dialogues with riverside communities and indigenous peoples, in order to improve strategies for mitigating and compensating for impacts. Ongoing initiatives at the LFS include:
2024 was also marked by adverse weather conditions across the Amazon, including severe drought that resulted in below-average rainfall. This scenario directly impacted water availability in the region, leading ANA to declare, in September 2024, a critical scenario of water scarcity in the Xingu River and Iriri River.
Norte Energia develops waste management guided by environmental responsibility and a continuous search for more sustainable solutions. At the Belo Monte Complex, hazardous (class I) and non-hazardous (class II) waste generated in administrative, operational and maintenance activities undergoes segregation, temporary storage and environmentally appropriate final disposal processes, always with the support of licensed companies and the issuance of the appropriate final disposal certificates.
Management follows internal guidelines, such as IP-PR-324 and IT-PR-311, which provide guidance from collection to waste control. The final destination is chosen based on technical, legal and economic criteria from a pool of technologies that include co-processing, incineration, reprocessing and sanitary landfill. The focus is to minimize impacts on the environment and public health, promoting reuse and recycling practices whenever possible (GRI 306-2).
The increase in waste generation in 2024 is due to occasional maintenance carried out at the Belo Monte Complex HPPs. Between February and April, maintenance of the leachate tank at the Pimental HPP generated approximately 120 tons of waste, while cleaning of the Belo Monte oil and water separator box resulted in approximately 193 tons of waste, sent for co-processing in Belém (PA). These actions were essential for maintaining structures and preventing environmental impacts.
Belo Monte HPP represents one of the largest clean energy projects in the world, playing a strategic role in Brazil's energy security and promoting a low-carbon electricity grid.
Our operation reinforces the importance of environmental conservation and responding to the challenges posed by climate change.
In terms of prevention, the Company works to manage and monitor greenhouse gas emissions, seeking innovations that increase the efficiency of its processes.
We actively participate in different spaces for dialogue and collective construction, such as the Climate Thematic Chamber of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (Cebds).
We identified critical factors in our Risk Matrix related to climate change, which could directly impact the operation of Belo Monte HPP. The main risk factors assessed include (GRI 201-2):
These factors are aligned with Norte Energia's business strategy and reflect the Company's concern about the effects of climate change (GRI 201-2).
Adverse weather conditions, especially in scenarios involving reduced flow of the Xingu River, can directly impact energy generation. Therefore, constant monitoring and anticipation of critical scenarios are essential for the resilience of the operation and for fulfilling Norte Energia's social and environmental commitments (GRI 201-2).
The Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Complex is composed of six dams, 30 dikes, a diversion canal, two powerhouses and a spillway (flow capacity of up to 62,000 m³/s), subject to continuous and thorough monitoring to ensure the integrity of the structures. Norte Energia keeps the Dam Safety Plan (PSB) and the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) up to date, with specific guidelines for risk prevention and mitigation, including implementation and maintenance of evacuation routes, signage and notification system – essential elements for the safety of communities located in the Self-Rescue Zone (EU 21).
In 2024, the Regular Safety Inspection confirmed that the structures remain at a “Normal” safety level, in accordance with Aneel Normative Resolution No. 1064/2023. The Company also completed a pilot project for partial instrument automation, modernizing 182 of them and integrating data into the Dam Safety Management System, therefore enabling real-time readings.
In terms of sustainability, the use of self-propelled robots to cut vegetation increased the safety of the activity and reduced pollutant emissions. The Emergency Notification System has been modernized, with 42 high-performance sirens and new communication channels, including the Internet to expand connectivity in areas without cell phone coverage.
Norte Energia also made improvements to evacuation routes (more than 52 km), with recovery of access and improvements to the drainage system. More than 2,000 signposts were installed in 2024 to ensure functionality. Theoretical training and practical simulations were carried out within the scope of the ERP, with the participation of more than 600 people, reinforcing the culture of prevention with the support of state (CEDEC) and municipal (COMPDEC) Civil Defense forces (EU 21).