João Camilo Penna (Antiga Cachoeira do Emboque) Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brazil

João Camilo Penna (Antiga Cachoeira do Emboque) is a hydroelectric power plant located in Brazil, with coordinates approximately 20.12°S, 42.39°W. The facility has an installed capacity of 22.02 MW, placing it in the small-scale category for hydroelectric plants. It is currently operational, supplying renewable electricity to the grid. Hydroelectric power is a well-established technology in Brazil, which relies heavily on hydropower for its electricity generation. The plant operates under Brazil's national regulatory framework, including environmental licensing and water use permits managed by agencies such as ANEEL and IBAMA. The technology typically involves a dam or run-of-river system, with turbines converting water flow into electricity. The plant's capacity of 22.02 MW allows it to serve a local or regional community, contributing to grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. As a renewable energy source, it supports Brazil's goals for sustainable development and low-carbon energy. The facility's operational status ensures ongoing power generation without the emissions associated with thermal plants.

As a hydroelectric plant, João Camilo Penna generates electricity with low direct CO2 emissions, but its environmental footprint includes potential impacts on local aquatic ecosystems and water flow regimes. The facility's location in Brazil, a country with abundant water resources, means it operates within a context of high rainfall and river systems. The plant's small capacity suggests a relatively modest ecological footprint compared to large dams, but it still requires careful management of water levels and fish passage.