PCH Pontal do Prata

In 2012, PCH Pontal do Prata began commercial operation. PCH Pontal do Prata has an installed capacity of 17.77 MW, with an annual projected generation of 55,000 MWh/year, in addition to serving around 27 municipalities in the region. The main municipalities served are Cavalcante, São João D´Aliança, Alto do Paraíso and Teresina de Goiás, all in the State of Goiás, in the Midwest region of Brazil.
FACTS
Location

Goiás, Brazil

Technology

Hydropower

Producing electricity since

14 April 2012

Developer/owner

Rialma Companhia Energética V S.A.

Estimated annual generation

55 000 MWh

Total capacity

17.77 MW

Grupo Rialma began its activities 35 years ago in the agricultural sector. In the 1980s, it began operating in grain transportation and reforestation. But, it was in the 1990s that Grupo Rialma discovered its true vocation for the energy and renewable energy production, starting to develop electric energy studies and projects, such as the implementation of its own Renewable Power Plants.
In 2012, the PCH Pontal do Prata and PCH Santo Antônio do Caiapó began commercial operation. PCH Pontal do Prata has an installed capacity of 17.77 MW, with an annual projected generation of 55,000 MWh/year, in addition to serving around 27 municipalities in the region. The main municipalities served are Cavalcante, São João D´Aliança, Alto do Paraíso and Teresina de Goiás, all in the State of Goiás, in the Midwest region of Brazil.
In recognition of its work with renewable generation, Grupo Rialma was awarded the “Certificado de Destaque Ambiental” but the “Jornal do Meio Ambiente” from the State of São Paulo, due to its commitment to sustainable development and applying, on a daily basis, good environmental practices.
The main basin of PCH Ponta do Prata is the Tocantizinho River, which runs an average distance of 30 km from the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, close to the environmental preservation area, APA Pouso Alto.

The surrounding area: Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in the northeast of the State of Goiás, between the municipalities of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Cavalcante, Teresina de Goiás, Nova Roma, and São João d’Aliança.

Created in 1961, the site protects an area of approximately 240,611 hectares and is part of the Cerrado biome. There are unique plant species, springs and watercourses, prehistoric rock formations, and a landscape of extraordinary beauty formed by details that have changed over time.

In addition to its natural charm, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is known for preserving areas full of history, such as the old mining sites important to the region’s culture. For these reasons, UNESCO included the site in the Natural World Heritage list in 2001.

The area lends itself to a myriad of outdoor activities, including walks and refreshing waterfall baths – an excellent opportunity for visitors who want to relax and be inspired amid a rare landscape used as a route by miners many years ago.

In 2019, the Federal Government granted Parquetur a concession to manage the public use of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and provide visitor support services. Since then, we have committed to improving infrastructure reforms, revitalizing green areas, and conserving the Cerrado biome.

The surrounding area: APA Pouso Alto

The preservation area APA Pouso Alto is located in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, northeast region of the State of Goiás, occupying approximately 2.36% of the state area, covering the following municipalities: Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Cavalcante, Colinas do Sul, Nova Roma, São João D’Aliança and Teresina de Goiás.

The preservation area APA Pouso Alto is located in an area know as a hotspot. This concept is defined as a priority area for conservation, with rich biodiversity and extremely threatened due to the great human pressure it suffers due to extractivism and agricultural expansion in the northeast of Goiás. It is part of the Paranã-Pirineus Ecological Corridor, which is a biodiversity corridor formed by a mosaic of conservation units with little intensive use. This project is also part of the Cerrado Biosphere Reserve. The factors that led UNESCO to recognize the northeast of Goiás as part of the Cerrado Biosphere Reserve are: its biological importance, with high levels of biodiversity and endemism, existence of differentiated physiognomies, unique ecological processes, among others.