ABSTRACT
Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country, with a population of 200 million, and the seventh largest economy, and is forecast to see high rates of future growth across the socioeconomic spectrum. For instance, energy demand, a proxy for broader socioeconomic development, is projected to double in a decade. Meeting future energy demands will be central to the development challenges faced by Brazil over the coming years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Brazilian government has pledged to double energy production by 2024. Hydroelectricity is projected to not only remain the dominant provider of electricity, but to see the largest expansion in terms of installed capacity over the coming decades. The largest hydroelectric facility currently under construction is the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River. When completed, Belo Monte will be the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world, providing enough energy to power 20 million Brazilian homes.
This chapter uses the Belo Monte Dam as a case study to examine the challenges for development that can arise when policies are made without sufficient regard for localized contextual factors in the development process. Utilizing the conceptual framework of the boomerang effect, this chapter critically examines the narratives surrounding Belo Monte. The chapter is divided into three sections. The first examines Belo Monte within the context of Brazilian energy policy, and as a representation of hydroelectricity more generally within Brazil. Second, we provide a detailed stakeholder analysis of Belo Monte. Stakeholders are divided into those who are projected to benefit from Belo Monte, those occupying a middle ground, and those who are projected to be negatively impacted by the dam. The final section examines how the narrative surrounding Belo Monte has changed over time, from the project’s original inception in 1975 until the present day. In conclusion, it is determined that although projects such as Belo Monte could have significant benefits when considered in isolation, it is essential to take a holistic perspective when determining the true costs and benefits of such development projects.
