Data o​f the Holding – administrative activities*

Consolidated data of Eletrobras Companies (G&T)

Water

The water used to generate power in Eletrobras hydroplants is all returned to the water bodies, and the quality is equivalent to the captured water. Our thermal plants capture water from surface sources for refrigeration and steam generation, and then returned to the original water body within legal temperature and quality requirements, minimizing the impact on ecosystems and habitats.  The quality of the water used in Eletrobras Companies operations is monitored and reported. The results of this analysis are issued according to the permits and demands of the environmental bodies.

In addition to water used to generate energy, Eletrobras also uses water in its administrative activities. For these activities, water for consumption is largely supplied by local water and sewage utilities. Where it is not supplied by the local utility it is captured from surface or groundwater sources.

Data on water intake for administration and operations, excluding the water that flows through our turbines, is added to the IGS System. Values are taken from the utility water bills or from reading hydrometers.

In 2021, a new methodology was implemented to calculate water consumption and disposal. Where there are no hydrometers to measure water used by administration, since 2021 the volume has been estimated using the average number of full-time employees at the facility and 50 liters/day per employee. The amount of water consumed by Eletrobras companies includes water used for thermal power generation and 20% of the water used in administrative activities. The amount of water discharged by Eletrobras companies included the water flowing through the hydro plant turbines, the water returned to rivers and oceans by the thermal power plants, the amount of water used in the fish farming stations and protected areas, and about 80% of the water used in administrative activities.

In 2023 the total volume of water withdrawall was  625,173,877.08 thousands of m³, including the surface water withdrawals for use in protected areas and in aquaculture. The total water discharge was 625,162,463.86 thousands of m³. The total water consumed was  11,413.22 thousands of m³.

The water used to generate energy in hydroelectric plants is not consumed, since it is fully returned to the rivers from which it is withdrawn. In 2023, 625,135,385.32 thousands of m³ of fresh water passed througth the turbines, which represented 99.99% of our water withdrawal.

The total volume of water discharged by our subsidiaries' operations into rivers experiencing critical or very critical water stress was approximately 2,476,478.83 thousands of m³ in 2023, as measured using the methodology established by the ANA.​

Water withdrawal – administrative activities

Water withdrawal – thermal generation

Eco-efficient Water Management

Eletrobras companies have actions that aim to promote the efficient management of water resources, such as:

• ​technological management and periodic preventive maintenance, avoiding waste due to possible leakages

• modernization of buildings' hydrosanitary systems with the installation of devices to reduce the flow of water in flushes and installation of pressure taps

• monitoring the withdrawal, discharge and consumption of operational and administrative water of companies through the environmental IGS system

• discussion and continuous review of indicator protocols and development of IGS System procedures and methodologies by the Water Task Force, which includes representatives from the environmental, operational and infrastructure areas

• collection and reuse of rainwater in plants such as UHE Tucuruí, UHE Samuel of Eletronorte and in some transmission systems, for cleaning, conservation and gardening

• reuse of process water in thermoelectric generation plants in cooling towers, significantly reducing water capture

• environmental education actions in the communities surrounding its projects, aiming at rational water use practices and combating pollution.

Certification with the LEED Gold seal

The current headquarters of Eletrobras Furnas is certified with the LEED Gold seal for new construction and major renovations (LEED B+C). A reduction of around 40% in water consumption compared to conventional buildings is estimated for this type of certification. LEED BD+C provides parameters for the construction or major renovation of a sustainable building, evaluating the project and work to face environmental challenges while responding to the needs of a competitive market.

Awareness

Chesf is responsible for raising awareness among communities neighboring the projects about the importance of water, through Environmental Education and Social Communication Programs. The company reviews and updates the Annual Flood Control Plan, operational rules and guidelines for flood control, inventory of hydraulic operational restrictions, flood control manuals and information dissemination systems for basins of the rivers in question. Chesf works continuously to disseminate information to communities in the most direct and clear way possible, using the vehicles and means available and most effective in each location, considering its specific characteristics.

For more information, see Water and Effluent Management.

​Energy Consumption

Waste Management

Eletrobras' waste management is carried out in compliance with current environmental legislation in Brazil. Our operational units have Solid Waste Management Plans (PGRS), which are periodically updated, and training is provided to their professionals.

Waste management encompasses both operational and administrative units, with detailed monitoring from the generation of waste to its storage, transportation, and final disposal. The monitoring of different types of waste and disposal methods is carried out through the IGS System – Corporate Sustainability Management Indicators, a strategic platform for managing sustainability indicators.

Eletrobras operates in line with the principles of the Circular Economy for managing the waste generated at our facilities. Organic waste is sent for composting, and recyclable waste is sent for selective collection by cooperatives and waste picker associations. Materials that are no longer used but have economic value for recycling, such as metal scrap, are sold. In 2024, 943 tons of these materials were sold.

From the perspective of reverse logistics, used lubricating oil and insulating oil are sent to companies that re-refine these materials, returning them to the production chain for other users. Since 2022, the quantities of oil sent for re-refining have been monitored as a specific variable in the IGS System. In 2024, a total of 2,150 tons of oil were sent for re-refining by Eletrobras.

Some of our operations are ISO 14001 certified and undergo audits that also consider solid waste management: the hydroelectric plants Tucuruí (8,370 MW), Coaracy Nunes (78 MW), Samuel (216 MW), Curuá-Una (12.5 MW), Balbina (275 MW), and Teles Pires (1,820 MW).

With the aim of increasing the integration of actions related to waste management and handling, the Waste Working Group was created within the Eletrobras Socioenvironmental Commission. This group serves as a forum for discussion and the definition of actions aligned with circular economy principles, reverse logistics, among other topics. The working group includes representatives from the areas of Sustainability, Expansion, Operations, Logistics, Procurement and Services, Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental Licensing.

Below is a summary of the results of different types of waste generated over the years by Eletrobras and its subsidiaries.

Note: The waste figures are not third-party assured.

Note: The waste figures are not third-party assured.

Ashes

All the ashes produced by operation of the coal-fired thermoelectric power plant by Eletrobras CGT Eletrosul, located in Candiota (RS), are forwarded to the recomposition of ine cave and to the cement industry. In 2023, a total of 1,143,752.86t of ashes were sent for recycling (321,416.04t) and reuse (822,336.82t). ​

​Mercury Emissions

Eletrobras CGT Eletrosul carries out annual measurements to verify the concentration of mercury in atmospheric emissions related to the operation of its coal-fired thermoelectric power plant. In 2023, 0.0525t of mercury were emitted, a value calculated from measurements taken directly from the plant chimney by isokinetic sampling.

CHECK ALSO​

• ​Solidary Selective Waste Collection ​

• Water Resources ​​