Aneel Approves Tests for New Power Unit at Portocém I Thermal Plant

New York: The Portocém I thermal power plant has reached 1.18 GW of capacity cleared for testing in Pará, moving closer to the start of its planned commercial operation.

The expansion of the national energy mix gains new momentum with recent progress at the Portocém I thermal power plant. The Aneel has given the green light for test energization of another generating unit in the natural‑gas‑powered complex, consolidating the technical capacity already approved in Pará.

The project, managed by Arxen—formerly New Fortress Energy—represents an important milestone for the country’s electricity supply. With the new approval, the plant reaches significant levels of authorized power for operational assessments, bringing it closer to the final schedule set with the Federal Government.

Technical Advances and New Capacity in Barcarena

The newly approved unit adds structural robustness to the energy complex located in the municipality of Barcarena. In total, the plant was designed to include four generating turbines, accumulating a substantial total capacity that reinforces regional energy security.

The project’s relocation from its original plan in the state of Ceará was made to take advantage of synergy with the Barcarena Hub. The local infrastructure ensures a continuous supply of inputs through a dedicated regasification terminal.

The relocation strategy allowed the supply chain to be optimized and the project to be executed despite logistical challenges faced by the sector.

Contractual Challenges and Next Steps

The implementation schedule has encountered bureaucratic and logistical hurdles over the past years, including issues related to grid access and port shutdowns. However, the regulatory body has acknowledged some of the external operational obstacles.

With the new arrangement, commercial operation will begin in a phased manner over the second half of the year. The next steps include completing tests of the remaining units and finalizing the contracted supply to meet the national electric system’s demand.