IHA Blue Planet Prize >> Information >> Salto Caxias Scheme The 1,240 MW Salto Caxias scheme, on the Iguaçu river in Southern Brazil, is the lowest in a cascade of reservoirs upstream of the famous Iguaçu Falls at the confluence with the Parana river. The scheme was the most recent to be commissioned in the group, with the first unit entering operation in 1998. The developer, COPEL (Companhia Paranaense de Energia), had gained considerable experience in the development of earlier schemes and was therefore in a good position to take on the challenge of relocating 600 families from the reservoir area. The judges found there to be a good standard in all aspects of the scheme, and excellence in relation to the socio-economic aspects. The IHA inspection team was able to see examples of schools, medical clinics, social centres, churches, sports facilities, agricultural research centres, roads, homes and farm buildings. The team also interviewed several of the people affected by the project, and was most impressed by a community leader, Mr Jose Camilo. He had originally been strongly against the project, but had demonstrated a willingness to utilize the opportunities and turn them to the advantage of the people he represents. The affected group is now a proud and strong agricultural community, operating at the cutting edge of agricultural science and organic farming. Food produced in the area is gaining a very good reputation and products are even exported to international markets. "This clearly shows that well planned and managed hydropower development can provide benefits far beyond the supply of clean power," said Hannu Puranen of Finland, an IHA inspector.   COPEL : Mr Luiz Gustavo Martins, Communications Officer, Comp. Paranaense de Energia Tel : + 55 41 322 3535 Fax : + 55 41 331 4145 Email : gustavo@copel.com