ENGIE Brasil has awarded WEG a contract to supply equipment for two new generating units at the Jaguara Hydropower Plant, located on the Rio Grande River on the border between Minas Gerais and São Paulo, in the municipality of Rifaina, São Paulo.
The project follows ENGIE Brasil’s successful bid in the 2026 Capacity Reserve Auction held in March and is part of the company’s strategy to invest in high-performance assets powered by 100 percent clean energy.
ENGIE plans to invest BRL 1.2 billion in the expansion, which will add 232 MW of installed capacity through the installation of two 116 MW generating units in existing shafts. Commercial operation of the new turbines is expected to begin in 2030.
The Jaguara Hydropower Plant has been part of ENGIE Brasil’s portfolio since 2017. It currently has an installed capacity of 424 MW and a firm energy certificate, or physical guarantee, of 324 average MW. The plant’s concession is valid until June 2048.
ENGIE said the expansion reinforces the strategic role of hydropower in Brazil’s energy transition, particularly in meeting peak electricity demand and supporting national energy security.
“Jaguara is already a significant asset in our portfolio, and this expansion reinforces its role in providing flexibility, helping increase the reliability of the national power system while maximizing the use of existing infrastructure and delivering efficiency and sustainability gains,” said Rogério Suematsu, manager of the Jaguara Hydropower Plant.
WEG, a global technology and energy solutions company, operates in power generation, transmission, distribution and energy storage projects. Its portfolio includes hydro and steam turbines, generators, transformers, substations, automation systems and battery energy storage solutions.
“WEG’s participation in the Jaguara Hydropower Plant expansion demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver complete solutions for strategic projects in the power sector,” said Paulo Leonardo da Silva Sinoti, WEG’s director of energy solutions and services.
In parallel with the expansion, the Jaguara Hydropower Plant is undergoing a comprehensive modernization program launched in July 2023. The program involves investments of more than BRL 500 million, of which about BRL 150 million has already been invested.
The modernization aims to extend the useful life of the facility while increasing reliability and operational efficiency. The work includes upgrades to the plant’s four existing generating units, while maintaining their total installed capacity of 424 MW. Completion is expected in 2029.
