ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to contribute in the analysis and inform policy makers on all the potential benefits and costs related to hydropower exploitation. It introduces the trade-off between development and sustainability in the specific case of water exploitation –for hydroelectric purpose – in the Brazilian Amazon Region, further focusing on the State of Pará and the two hydroelectric power plants of Tucuruí and Belo Monte. The chapter presents an overview of the Brazilian's energy system, with a particular focus on hydroelectric. Energy security is an important indicator of the growth of a country and access to electricity plays a major role in terms of economic development. Although authorities worldwide promote hydropower as a "clean" source of energy in contrast to fossil fuels, there is an increasing awareness that hydroelectric reservoirs are not carbon neutral and there has been an ongoing scientific debate on their role in the global carbon emissions cycle.
