MAB

Around 500 members of the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB) blocked the access road to the São Salvador Dam worksite in the early hours of 10/09/2007. The dam which is located between the municipalities of São Salvador and Parana on Rio Tocantins (State of Tocantins), will also affect the municipality of Minacu (Goias).

Brazil is one of the world’s leading dam–building nations, and is already highly dependent on hydropower for its electricity, with about 80% of its electrical energy coming from large dams. Despite recent initiatives to diversify the country’s sources of electrical energy generation, energy planners and industries are pressing for a major expansion of hydroelectricity in Brazil, saying it is crucial for the nation’s economic growth.