CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EVOLUTION OF POWER PLANTS IN BRAZIL AND THEIR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

The growth of the global population, associated with the development model, requires demands for electric power, both in urban and rural areas. This implies constant investments to meet the needs. This article was based on a research and literature review, on the approaches to the themes: Brazil's energy sector, the participation of hydroelectric plants in the national energy matrix, advantages, disadvantages and socio-environmental impacts. Despite the evolution in relation to the use of renewable energy sources, mineral coal and natural gas are still a very significant portion of the world's electricity matrix. In Brazil, however, one of the most widely used sources for power generation is hydroelectric power. Given the availability of water resources in the country, the construction of hydroelectric plants has caused both environmental and social damage. The generation, transmission and distribution of energy in Brazil are components of a large system, composed mainly of the matrices: hydro, wind, thermal and photovoltaic. Although there is a gain with the generation of energy, society suffers all the effects caused by the enterprise, from before, during and after its construction to the entry and after its operation. Even though there are Environmental Licensing processes for the construction of large undertakings or high-impact projects, the current Brazilian model is still impactful, contradictory, and cause for criticism.