Generation Programs

Nova Ponte Power Plant

CEMIG’s Plant is Internationally Certified

Cemig’s Nova Ponte hydroelectric power plant was ISO 14001 certified in March 2000 for its environmental preservation oriented activities on all work fronts. Nova Ponte is the second hydropower plant in Latin America to earn a quality standard certificate, and the first of greater size to do so, as was the Galheiros Natural Reserve, established on the banks of the reservoir.

The recommendation was forwarded by Norway’s Det Norske Veritas – DNV, and the Inmetro Institute, which, by their stamp of approval, allowed nation-wide certification.

DNV’s evaluation featured aspects of electric energy generation, reservoir operation and the management of the Galheiro Natural Reserve. All plant equipment maintenance processes, as well as the disposal of waste such as oils, lamps and so on were analyzed as to international quality standards, and so were the turbine and floodgate operations as well, in relation to their effect on aquatic fauna and the preservation of the water quality.

A whole year of teamwork in the identification of environmentally hazardous actions led to the certification. Those impacts that could not be eliminated were mitigated through the development of specific action plans.

Nova Ponte was the first plant to fully comply with the Government’s environmental requirements. The environmental actions began with the construction of the dam, in 1987. When the original town was flooded during the filling of the reservoir, another town had been built, following the most modern technological urban development standards, yet preserving the community’s cultural and emotional assets through the relocation of historical buildings.

In addition to the construction of a new town, the Galheiros Reserve was established as a nature preservation area, where research on the reproduction and reintroduction of native species is conducted.

Located on the Araguari River, in the western region of the state called the Triângulo Mineiro, the plant generates 510 megawatts of power. Commercial operations began in 1994 and it currently stands as a model for the Brazilian electric sector.