Sterlite Power, has achieved a remarkable milestone in Brazil with the successful commissioning of its sixth power transmission project – Marituba. This project represents a significant step forward in the country’s energy sector, fostering the delivery of up to 1,000 MW of green energy. With a strong commitment to the Brazilian market, Sterlite Power has been making a noteworthy impact on the lives of the people by ensuring the delivery of quality transmission assets in record time.
The Marituba project, built with a substantial investment of ₹1,600 crore, is a 344 km long 500kV transmission corridor connecting Brazil’s largest hydropower plant at Tucuruí to the metropolitan region of Belém. This integration with the National Interconnected System (SIN) makes it the largest power transmission project executed by Sterlite Power Brazil.
Since venturing into Brazil in 2017, Sterlite Power has firmly established its presence, acquiring 13 projects through greenfield global auction processes. Presently, the company boasts a robust portfolio of 8 power transmission projects, having developed six of them, spanning approximately 2,000 km of transmission lines and 22 substations.
Commenting on this significant achievement, Pratik Agarwal, the Managing Director of Sterlite Power, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Over the past 6 years, we have made a noteworthy contribution to the Brazilian energy market by securing and delivering critical transmission projects. We will continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in Brazil by ensuring delivery of quality transmission assets in record time.”
The Marituba project, situated in the Amazon region, had its fair share of challenges during construction. Crossing the Tocantins, Acará, and Guamá rivers proved to be particularly complex. The project required the assembly of towers over 150 meters high to execute the 3 river crossings, each spanning over 1.5 Km. Sterlite Power demonstrated its innovative prowess by employing unique techniques, such as using vessels to transport structures and materials to cross the cables through the water, effectively diverting river traffic.
Amitabh Prasad, the CEO of Sterlite Power Brazil, expressed his satisfaction with the successful commissioning of the Marituba project, remarking, “The Project presented us with invaluable opportunities for acquiring knowledge, primarily owing to the remarkable intricacies of the installation process involving towers and transmission lines within the challenging operational environment.”
The positive impact of the Marituba project extends beyond its power transmission capabilities. The project has traversed 15 cities and 27 Quilombola Afro-Brazilian communities, promoting economic growth in the region by creating more than 2,000 jobs. This has resulted in a significant boost to the Brazilian economy while empowering local communities.
Sterlite Power’s achievements in Brazil are not limited to the Marituba project. The company has a track record of delivering projects ahead of schedule, such as the Arcoverde project, completed 28 months early. In the auctions held last year, Sterlite Power won two important lots – 5 and 9 – with a total estimated capex of ₹1,800 crore. Furthermore, the company has also successfully commissioned three more projects earlier this year, connecting renewable energy to the Brazilian national grid.
