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Environmental Practices

Neoenergia's actions in favor of the preservation of ecosystems and natural resources in the areas of operation.

As part of its business strategy, Neoenergia carries out and supports projects that contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the Flyways project, which seeks to ensure the conservation of birds and their habitats, contributing to the preservation of species at the hemispheric level.

Through a partnership with the LIFE Institute, signed in 2019, Neoenergia works to build a diagnosis of biodiversity in generation companies.

The actions include pilot projects to apply the methodology with hydroelectric companies and Termopernambuco, thus reinforcing the company's commitment to the issue of biodiversity and to the preservation of natural resources.

Neoenergia's environmental practices


The Baixo Iguaçu UHE team, in the development of its environmental programs, is using technology for the conservation of endemic species in the region, in this case the fish popularly known as Surubim-do-Iguaçu (Steindachneridion melanodermatum), through the capture of fish, marking with combined telemetry transmitters and monitoring the movement habits of the species, installing fixed and mobile monitoring bases along the hydrographic basin.


So far, biologists have tagged 50 individuals, who have already begun to provide relevant information related to the migratory behavior of the species in the study region. The Program will provide relevant information that can be used to guide specific projects for the conservation of Surubim-do-Iguaçu, which is currently classified as “Endangered” in the Ministry of the Environment's List of Threatened Species.

The rupture of the incision at the transmitter implant site in Surubim do Iguaçu
Marking procedure for Surubim do Iguaçu caught in the Poço Preto area
Release of Surubim do Iguaçu after marking procedure
Downloading the data stored in fixed acoustic telemetry stations


In order to know the importance of the Teles Pires tributary rivers for the reproduction of species, biologists from the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, a Neoenergy enterprise, collect fish eggs and larvae to identify species and spawn sites. The samples are collected in the Teles Pires rivers (free stretch and reservoir), Paranaíta, Santa Helena, Taxidermist, Cristalino and Peixoto de Azevedo rivers.

The samples collected are studied in the laboratory for screening and genetic identification to confirm the species. During the Piracemas 2015/2016 and 2016/2017, a total of 7726 eggs and 12355 larvae from 52 species of fish were registered, 12 of which were considered migratory. The results of this initiative will help in the creation of strategies to maintain ecological balance.

Program implemented by the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, in partnership with the Teaching and Research Support Foundation (FAEP) of the University of Mogi das Cruzes — Laboratory for the Genetics of Aquatic Organisms and Aquaculture (LAGOAA), aims to perform genetic analysis of samples from 5 migratory fish species.

Brycon falcatus

The program aims to understand the population structures of species and to identify patterns in the distribution of genetic variability over geographical distances. The study will help to determine the need for the adoption, in the future, of mitigation measures aimed at ichthyofauna.
Pseudoplatystoma punctifer

The following target species are part of the program: Matrinchã (Brycon falcatus), Jaú (Zungaro zungaro), Cachara (Pseudoplatystoma punctifer), Curimba (Prochilodus nigricans) and Piraíba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum). All samples have already been collected and analyses are ongoing.
Prochilodus nigricans
Zungaro Zungaro

Maracança parakeet (Primolius maracana)

The region surrounding the Baixo Iguaçu UHE has a high wealth of avifauna. During the monitoring work related to the licensing of the project, more than 200 bird species have already been registered, according to data collected by field teams. With each monitoring campaign, new species are registered, indicating that the increase in sampling effort will result in an increase in the list of Avifauna records for the region surrounding the enterprise.
Duck Hawk (Spizaetus melanoleucus)

The biologist teams from the Baixo Iguaçu UHE registered two endangered species on the list of the state of Paraná, namely: Spizaetus melanoleucus (duck gabião) categorized as “Endangered” from extinction and Primolius maracana (maracanã) also categorized as “Endangered” from extinction on the regional list and categorized as “Near Threatened” on the national and global list. In the future, this information may help define the best conservation strategies for the identified species.


The monitoring of Entomofauna — the totality of insects in a region — is developed by the team of biologists from the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant and can verify during the study that there was no record of endemic species in the analyzed region. However, a difference was noted between the composition of the species observed in the different phases of the enterprise. This monitoring provides important information and helps plant teams to make the best decisions.

Micrurus altirostris

Herpetofauna is a group that includes reptiles and amphibians, and its communities have been monitored by the team of Biologists from the Baixo Iguaçu UHE in order to verify possible changes in the composition of the species in the area influenced by the enterprise.

Lithobates catesbeianus

The Baixo Iguaçu UHE team monitors the species with the aid of methodologies using interception and fall traps (Pitffals Trap) and also with direct observations (active and auditory search from the songs of the frogs). The captured animals receive a marking that allows biologists to better understand the dynamics of the populations that inhabit the environment of the enterprise. After marking, the animals undergo a measurement and photographic recording procedure before being returned to nature. In the future, this information may help define the best conservation strategies for the identified species.

Boana faber

The team of biologists from the Baixo Iguaçu Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE) monitors the populations of Lontra (Lontra longicaudis) in the area of influence of the project. This program aims to identify if these populations are being affected by the implementation and operation of the project, providing important information that will guide wildlife conservation strategies in the region.

Camera traps were installed near the burrows and environments used by the animals in the area of direct and indirect influence of the enterprise, which made it possible to record and monitor the populations of Lontra (Lontra longicaudis).

This action reinforces the commitment of the Neonergia Group to the conservation of biodiversity and to the mitigation of the environmental impacts of its facilities.

Bats are considered excellent bioindicators of the environmental quality of natural environments. By following the registration of bat species and populations, environmental impacts of the study areas can be identified. The team of biologists from the Baixo Iguaçu UHE has been monitoring bat species to verify the environmental quality of the project's area of influence, contributing to the increase in knowledge of the occurrence of species in the region.
Ringing of Artibeus lituratus
Artibeus lituratus
 

Sturnira lilium


To minimize the impacts of the implementation of the project, the Baixo Iguaçu Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE) mobilized a team of biologists and veterinarians to carry out activities to scare away and rescue wildlife in areas subject to plant suppression, an activity related to the environmental licensing of the project.

Field teams are advised to avoid direct contact with animals whenever possible, reducing handling stress. When necessary, the team, which has authorization from the environmental agency for the activity, captures and, if necessary, provides emergency assistance to animals that may be injured during the activities.

The animals are treated and rehabilitated for subsequent release in an area that will not be suppressed, that is, outside the flooded area. For individuals who eventually die, procedures are carried out for the conservation, attachment, and disposal of scientific collections, thus contributing to the development of studies at partner institutions.

Bees perform important environmental services that contribute to the conservation of Biodiversity. They are responsible for the pollination of several plant species, representing an essential ecosystem service for the maintenance of species diversity in different biomes.

The pollination service provided by bees was recognized, both in the agricultural sphere and for the maintenance of biodiversity, by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is directly linked to the United Nations and is one of the most important international instruments related to the environment.

The team of Biologists from the Baixo Iguaçu UHE relocated swarms of native bee species that were identified during the rescue and removal of fauna in the areas targeted for suppression, this activity aims to minimize the impacts of the implementation of the project on Biodiversity.

The Forest Restoration Program has been implemented since 2014 with the recovery of forest cover in areas directly influenced by the works of the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, a project of the Neoenergia Group, and also of the new Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) of the reservoir formed by the plant.

The Teles Pires plant expects the recovery of approximately 4 thousand hectares, including areas of the reservoir and the areas of the former construction site that are currently in the process of regeneration and with full growth of the seedlings planted in the region.

The Permanent Preservation Area Implementation Program is responsible for ensuring that reforested areas are able to establish themselves as new forests protected from cattle trampling, invasion, and illegal deforestation.

Within this methodology for the recovery of areas surrounding the Teles Pires UHE, seedlings of native species are being planted, which are produced at the Eco Vida Nursery, as part of the Plant Germplasm Rescue and Implementation Program of the Seedling Nursery, which estimates to produce more than 3 million seedlings by the end of the recomposition of the area surrounding the reservoir.


During the Primate Monitoring Campaigns, 11 species were identified in the region surrounding the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, a project of the Neoenergia Group:
  • Red-handed Warbler (Alouatia discolor)
  • Purus river gecko (Alouatta puruensis)
  • Night monkey (Aotus azarae)
  • Black-faced Coat (Ateles chamek)
  • White-faced Coat (Ateles marginatus)
  • Zoguezogue (Plecturocebus moloch)
  • Zoguezogue (Plecturocebus grovesi)
  • White-nosed Cuckoo (Chiropotes albinasus)
  • Mico (Mico Emiliae)
  • Mico (Mico sp.)
  • Black monkey (Sapajus apela)

With the monitoring results, a new species was described for science: named Plecturocebus grovesi, after British professor Colin Groves. Zoguezogue was described with the participation of several national and international institutions.


In order to monitor small, medium and large mammals, possible changes in the communities of these animals were evaluated before, during and after the installation of the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, a project of the Neoenergia Group.

After 19 monitoring campaigns, 23 small species (rodents and marsupials) and 35 medium and large species were registered.

Of this total, 11 species are on the endangered fauna list, especially: Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater), Panthera onca (jaguar), Priodontes maximus (tatoo canastra) and Speothos venaticus (vinegar dog).

It should be noted that none of the large groups of terrestrial mammals suffered a significant impact with the installation of the plant, and important species were registered after the formation of the reservoir.


The teams from the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, an enterprise of the Neoenergia Group, through Semiaquatic Mammal Monitoring campaigns (otters and squirrels), were able to identify that the stretch with the highest concentration of records for both species comprises the stretch from the White Cow to the Devil's Throat, a region little affected by the alteration of the water flow with the formation of the Teles Pires HPP reservoir.

The large extension of the reservoir and the various preserved environments contribute to the establishment of these species.

One of the most important points of these campaigns was the return of squirrels to the reservoir area, as it will enable direct analysis of the influence of environmental change on the distribution and behavior of these animals.

The Forest Restoration Program has been implemented since 2014 with the recovery of forest cover in areas directly influenced by the works of the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant, a project of the Neoenergia Group, and also of the new Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) of the reservoir formed by the plant.

The Teles Pires plant expects the recovery of approximately 4 thousand hectares, including areas of the reservoir and the areas of the former construction site that are currently in the process of regeneration and with full growth of the seedlings planted in the region.

The Permanent Preservation Area Implementation Program is responsible for ensuring that reforested areas are able to establish themselves as new forests protected from cattle trampling, invasion, and illegal deforestation.

Within this methodology for the recovery of areas surrounding the Teles Pires UHE, seedlings of native species are being planted, which are produced at the Eco Vida Nursery, as part of the Plant Germplasm Rescue and Implementation Program of the Seedling Nursery, which estimates to produce more than 3 million seedlings by the end of the recomposition of the area surrounding the reservoir.

This is the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, designed by the United Nations (UN 2021-2030) in order to conserve biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. In line with global efforts for the environment, Neoenergia is supporting a pioneering project to restore the Caatinga, the only fully Brazilian biome marked by a history of degradation. In partnership with the Caatinga Association and professors and researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), 2,000 seedlings were planted in the Açu National Forest (RN). The initiative uses new techniques, which can increase the survival of transplanted species, such as the development of large roots, the use of herbaceous plants for soil cover, and the inoculation of fungi.

Research funding is aligned with the company's ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices and the commitment to sustainable development in all its areas of activity. “Restoration programs are seen as the hope for combating climate change and improving the functionality of ecosystems. These are objectives aligned with our ESG practices and our Biodiversity Policy. Most of our 47 wind farms under operation and construction are in Caatinga regions and we understand that the restoration process has positive results both for the biome and for our business,” says Diogo Mariga, superintendent of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Renewables at Neoenergia.
Gislene Ganade, professor at the Department of Ecology at UFRN, works on the project
Restoration of the Caatinga, with support from Neoenergia


The restoration project is part of BrazilDRY, an experiment initiated in 2016 by researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). In addition, it is part of an international network, TreeDiv, aimed at testing how the diversity and composition of species can regulate the functioning of ecosystems.

Brazilian research led to the development of a 1-meter-long root planting technique, which increased transplant survival by 75%. With the support of Neoenergia, 1,030 seedlings were planted in November 2021 as a replacement for this study, as well as 970 seedlings in December, another test initiated to analyze techniques for manipulating soil cover using facilitating herbaceous plants and for the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. One month after planting, the transplants are adapted to the region and the results of the new research will be monitored in the first half of 2022.

The researchers also collected samples and requested chemical analyses of the soil from the region of the experiment, with the objective of relating soil fertility and salinity to the survival of the transplants. The purpose is to understand the most effective ways to restore the caatinga. The biome is present in nine states — Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Minas Gerais — with 932 plant species.

Neoenergia also promoted, in partnership with the Caatinga Association, an online Caatinga Restoration course, with the participation of teachers and researchers from UFRN, who provided the most advanced knowledge and modern tools for managers in the region. The training addressed topics such as adequate planting, the best species, and priority areas for the conservation and restoration of the caatinga. More than 90 federal, state, and municipal public managers and decision makers were trained.

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