Spic Brasil formalizes strategic partnership with Chinese consortium to expand the São Simão hydroelectric plant, adding 310 MW to the national power grid with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Spic Brasil, the strategic arm of the Chinese giant State Power Investment Corporation, has taken a decisive step to strengthen Brazil’s energy matrix. The company has formalized a contract with a consortium formed by Dongfang Electric Corporation and China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) to enable the expansion of the São Simão hydroelectric power plant, strategically located on the border between the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás.
The project is part of a robust investment plan, estimated at R$ 1.4 billion, focused on installing the seventh generation unit (UG7). With this initiative, the plant will gain an additional 310 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity. The expansion is a direct response to the demands of the Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP) held in 2026, consolidating renewable energy as a central pillar of the country’s infrastructure.
Division of responsibilities and project engineering
The agreement defines a clear division of technical responsibilities to ensure the project’s completion by 2030. Dongfang Electric Corporation will be responsible for detailed engineering, technical supervision, and the supply of vital components, including the Francis-type turbine and a state-of-the-art generator. In parallel, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) will undertake the electromechanical assembly work at the construction site.
The supplier structure has been diversified to ensure operational excellence. Brazilian company SEEL Engenharia was selected to conduct the civil works for the project. Technical consultancy and environmental management will benefit from the expertise of Tractebel Engineering and Egis Group, who will respectively manage the owner’s engineering and the expansion’s environmental licensing and control.
The CEO of Spic Brasil, Adriana Waltrick, stated:
Optimizing existing assets, such as the São Simão Hydroelectric Power Plant, is the most efficient and sustainable way to increase the country’s renewable and secure energy capacity.
Commitment to energy security
The executive emphasized that the signing of this contract reflects the company’s strategy to invest in the growth of the national electricity sector. By optimizing an already consolidated infrastructure, the company aims to minimize environmental impacts while maximizing the availability of clean energy for the National Interconnected System (SIN).
The work schedule is rigorous, with a focus on the commercial operation of the new unit by the year 2030. This project not only strengthens the Chinese presence in Brazil’s clean energy sector but also sets a new standard for the utilization of hydroelectric power plants, ensuring greater stability and security in electricity supply in a market undergoing constant energy transition.
