SUEZ and hydroelectricity
It is essential to have available reserves of potential energy which can be converted to electricity based on requirements, and when geography allows it, water is one of the best available sources of energy, whether in the form of storage reservoirs, rivers or tides. Furthermore, hydroelectricity has several advantages: a competitive price, a reduction in the dependence on fossil fuels and no CO2 emissions. With more than 600 active sites, and a global capacity of 11,500 MW (of which 1307 MW comes from pumped power transfer stations), SUEZ is currently a major player in hydraulic energy, which constitutes the only means of storing electricity and which allows large amounts of power to be mobilised extremely quickly, in particular during peak periods.
SUEZ group know-how
The SUEZ group?s expertise covers the analysis, feasibility study, construction and operation stages for a dam or plant, the characteristics of which vary depending on the location (hydrology, topography, geology) and the requirements (peak periods, temporary storage). Through Tractebel Engineering and its subsidiary Coyne et Bellier, SUEZ develops hydraulic infrastructures which are distinctive for their scale, their complexity and their importance for the community and the environment. Other subsidiaries deal with the production and the marketing of hydroelectricity. Among these subsidiaries are the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône and the Société Hydroélectrique du Midi, which represent nearly 25% of French production, and Tractebel Energia which is the largest private producer in Brazil.
Estreito, a colossal dam on the Tocantins river, in the north of Brazil
In order to reduce its dependence on fuel oil and its CO2 emissions, while anticipating the predicted 5% annual increase in electricity demands over the next 10 years, Brazil has been investing in the construction of hydroelectric equipment for several years. It is in this context that the SUEZ group ? via its SUEZ Energy Latin America subsidiary ? has invested in the financing of the Estreito plant, designed to be the largest dam in Brazil with a production capacity of 1087 MW. At the same time, SUEZ and the Brazilian government are ensuring financial support for thousands of families living in the area of the future reservoir, most of whom live below the poverty threshold, with no connection to the electricity network or to a sewer system.
Key figures
On 31/12/2007, the installed production capacity of the SUEZ group from hydroelectricity was 11,500 MWe, of which 1307 MWe comes from pumped power transfer stations. Hydroelectricity currently represents 21% of the SUEZ group's energy mix, and 90% of its "renewable energies" mix, ahead of wind, biomass, biogas and solar. The SUEZ group represents 25% of French hydroelectric production through its subsidiaries, The Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) and the Société Hydroélectrique du Midi(SHEM). Furthermore, SUEZ is the largest private hydroelectric producer in Brazil through Tractebel Energia, which operates an installed power of 5700 MW.