The Belo Monte ±800kV UHVDC transmission line project is designed for the power transmission of Belo Monte Hydro-electric Plant, which is the second largest hydropower station in Brazil. The project is constructed in two phases. The first phase of the project is jointly invested by the China State Grid Brazil Holding S.A. and the Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A.. It spans across 4 states with a total length of 2076 km and a transmission capacity of 4 million kilowatts. The project started on April 1, 2016 and officially achieved operation on December 21, 2017. The second phase of project, which is independently invested by the Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A., spans across 5 states with a total length of 2539 km. The construction started on June 2, 2017 and officially achieved operation on October 25, 2019. POWERCHINA SEPCO1 Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd (SEPCO1) undertook the construction of 1280 km of ±800kV UHVDC transmission line in a turnkey mode. The first phase of the project won the Brazilian Social Environmental Management Best Practice Award. The related technical achievements won the first prize of 2017 Science and Technology Progress Award of China Association of Construction Enterprise Management and the first prize of 2018 Science and Technology Progress Award of China Electric Power Construction Association.
The UHV electricity transmission has the comprehensive advantages, such as large capacity, long distance, low loss, less land occupation, and significant economies of scale and scope. The development of UHV electricity transmission is a practical way in Brazil to meet its energy needs. Moreover, as the first UHVDC transmission project invested overseas by a Chinese company, this project is of great importance in promoting the exportation of China’s high-end technology and equipment, as well as the expansion of the economic and trade cooperation between China and Brazil.
