A small city in the north of Santa Catarina with a population of about 19,000 – Garuva – should receive mega-investment: from 2 to 3 billion reais.

This is because Diamante Gueração de Energia, owner of the Jorge Lacerda thermoelectric complex, has signed a contract with Nebras Power Group, an international energy investment company and a subsidiary of Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QWEC), to form a joint venture. where companies can jointly explore the possibility of investing in gas-fired thermal power plants, with a focus on Santa Catarina.

Illustrative image for gas power industry – Photo: Internet/ND Disclosure

This joint venture will lead two projects. One of them will be in Garuv. This is the Norte Catarinense thermal power plant with a potential of generating 600 MW in the first stage. It is expected to become operational around 2028.

According to Pedro Licek, CEO of Diamante, the investment will be between 2 and 3 billion reais. “There is already land in the municipality and licenses. Now the only question is to win the energy auction and start construction,” explains Pedro Licek.

The company expects to participate in the auctions in 2023. If it wins, the construction of the CHPP will begin in 2024. Only at the construction stage, it will create 2,000 jobs, and during operation, about 100 jobs.

“Our Garuva project is an anchor and will even justify the start of operation of the LNG terminal being built in the port of Sao Francisco do Sul by New Fortress Energy,” the CEO explained, citing 2.5 million cubic meters of gas. per day, which will be used at the Norte Catarinense thermal power plant in Garuv and then redistributed throughout the state.

It is important to remember that the São Francisco do Sul terminal will receive liquefied natural gas from several places in the world, such as the USA, Holland, Algeria, Malaysia and others. Where more competitive gas is available, it will be imported without relying on just one source of supply.

Waiting in Garuv

Garuva Mayor Rodrigo Adriani David sees the investment as positive for the municipality and the region.

“We are ready and optimistic to receive this private investment with funds from Diamante Energia and Nebras Power, a Qatar government company. I understand that the economic returns will further change the reality of the municipality. Today, we are investing in the Garuva More Qualified program by offering technical courses to the public who want to increase their level of knowledge and thus gain new job opportunities,” the mayor analyzed.