Âmbar Energia, a division of the J&F S.A. group, will allocate R$ 60 million to modernize and expand the Salto do Passo Velho Small Hydropower Plant (PCH) in Santa Catarina, significantly increasing its production capacity.
Brazil’s energy transition receives a strategic boost with the recent announcement by Âmbar Energia. The company has confirmed an investment of R$ 60 million dedicated exclusively to the modernization and capacity expansion of the Salto do Passo Velho PCH, located in the municipality of Bom Jesus, Santa Catarina.
The project is more than just a technological update; it is a leap in operational efficiency. By increasing installed capacity from the current 1.8 MW to 11.75 MW, the plant will play a fundamental role in the regional energy mix, multiplying its generation capacity by more than six times.
Expanding the portfolio in the South
The schedule established by the company anticipates completion of the works by December 2030. This move underscores the expansion strategy of Âmbar Energia in the southern region of the country, where the company already maintains a diverse base of assets balancing hydro and thermal sources.
The investment reinforces the company’s strategic presence in Santa Catarina and consolidates its commitment to the operational efficiency of its assets, ensuring greater robustness for the local power system through renewed and more powerful infrastructure.
Regional operational landscape
Currently, Âmbar Energia’s portfolio in Santa Catarina is already significant, consisting of four plants using different technologies. In addition to the plant in Bom Jesus, the company operates the Lages thermoelectric plant — focused on biomass generation (28 MW) — the Salto Voltão PCH (8.2 MW), and the Paraíso PCH (1 MW).
The company’s strength in the Southern region extends well beyond Santa Catarina’s borders. With the Araucária gas-fired plant in Paraná (484 MW) and large-scale thermoelectric plants in Rio Grande do Sul — such as the Uruguaiana unit (640 MW) and the Candiota plant (350 MW) — Âmbar Energia reaffirms its role as one of the key players in the region’s energy sector.
The expansion of the unit in Bom Jesus represents an assertive move within J&F S.A.’s long-term business plan. By optimizing existing assets, the company not only reduces maintenance risks but also contributes to the energy security required in the face of fluctuating demand in the national market.
