São Simão Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation

The Mission

The São Simão hydropower plant—one of Brazil’s largest with a capacity of 1,710 MW—required a full modernization after 42 years of operation. The challenge was to upgrade all electromechanical equipment while maintaining uninterrupted operations, optimizing the construction sequence, and enhancing planning and coordination through advanced digital tools.

The Solution

Tractebel was appointed as Owner’s Engineer to oversee the entire modernization process. Our scope included energy studies, basic design, BIM modeling and coordination, and on-site supervision. A key innovation was the implementation of a 4D BIM methodology, integrating laser-scanned point cloud data with real-time scheduling. This allowed the team to visualize equipment replacement sequences, anticipate interferences, and improve planning accuracy.

The Impact

The modernization ensures safe, efficient, and extended operation of the plant for the next 30 years. It also reduced technical risks, improved agility, and enhanced transparency for the client. São Simão now stands as a benchmark for digital innovation in hydropower rehabilitation across Brazil.