Aureliano Chaves (Antiga Ibirité) — 226 MW Natural Gas

The Aureliano Chaves (Antiga Ibirité) power generation facility ranks as the 167th largest in Brazil, mirroring the capacity of its nearby counterpart, the Ibirité Power Plant, with an output of 226 MW. This significant capacity equates to approximately 0.09% of Brazil’s total energy production, which is dominated by hydroelectric sources, making up a substantial part of the national capacity of 250,382 MW across 2402 plants. Operating on natural gas, Aureliano Chaves holds the 43rd position among 146 gas facilities in the country, underscoring its role in Brazil’s energy diversity, particularly in balancing the grid during periods when hydro resources are less reliable. Situated within a cluster of other energy facilities, including the Igarapé plant, which has a capacity of 131 MW and operates on oil, and smaller plants such as Contagem at 19.299 MW, Aureliano Chaves enhances the resilience of the local energy system. This strategic location enables effective load management within the Minas Gerais region, contributing to the reliability of power supply. Commissioned in 2002, Aureliano Chaves has been instrumental in supporting the energy needs of the surrounding communities and industries. As Brazil continues to pursue a more diversified and sustainable energy mix, facilities like Aureliano Chaves are pivotal in facilitating this transition, providing essential backup capacity and complementing the dominant hydroelectric generation with flexible, gas-based power.