The city of Prainha in western Pará has officially joined Brazil's Sistema Interligado Nacional (SIN), marking a major shift in its energy infrastructure. The transition was completed after the local electric concessionaire finished construction on a new, modern power system, allowing for the permanent shutdown of the city's old diesel-powered thermoelectric plant.
This significant upgrade required a substantial investment of approximately R$ 71.6 million. The funds were used to build a new distribution line and a substation equipped with two transformers, boasting a total installed capacity of 12.6 MVA. The entire system is designed for remote monitoring, enhancing operational security and response times.
According to Lana Graziene, the concessionaire's works manager, the new substation is supervised in real-time by the Integrated Operations Center (COI). This technology enables remote maneuvers and swift service restoration during contingencies, ensuring greater reliability for the municipality's power supply.
The local distribution network was also overhauled with the installation of two urban and one rural feeder, all fitted with high-performance circuit breakers. The primary goal of this redesign is to minimize electrical losses and guarantee a stable energy supply for Prainha's approximately 35,500 inhabitants.
Beyond operational improvements, the switch from diesel to grid power has a profound positive impact on the environment. The elimination of the diesel generator prevents the emission of roughly 606 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each month. This translates to a reduction of over 7,200 tons of the pollutant annually, a significant benefit for the Amazon region.
This project is part of a broader strategy by the energy company. Since 2012, the concessionaire has deactivated 23 diesel plants across the state of Pará. The company's strategic plan aims to shut down another nine polluting thermoelectric facilities by the end of 2027, continuing its push toward more sustainable energy solutions.
Based on reporting from g1.