Siemens targeted by Greenpeace over Amazon hydroelectric dam
Greenpeace has urged Siemens to withdraw from the construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Tapajos River, north-western Brazil, home to the Amazon's Munduruku people. In addition to threatening the existence of the indigenous tribe, the Sao Luiz do Tapajos hydro dam​ would destroy the extraordinary biodiversity of the region, including the rare Amazon River dolphin. The Brazilian government plans to build 40 dams on the 800kms Tapajos River.

Siemens is one of the world’s biggest producers of wind turbines and is committed to making its supply chain sustainable. Yet, the German company could soon play a prominent role in the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon. Siemens is going to take part in a project for the construction of a huge hydroelectric dam on the Tapajós River, in the state of Pará, north-western Brazil.

The “river of life” would die

The Tapajós River, which extends for 800 kilometres, crosses lands characterised by an extraordinary biodiversity and is home to a rare and mysterious creature, the Amazon River dolphin. The Brazilian Amazon is also home to a huge variety of animal and plant species, as well as to indigenous communities that live in harmony with the river and the forest.

40 dams would flood the Amazon

The forest and the river, along with all the creatures depending on them, are now threatened by the Brazilian government’s plan to build 40 dams on the Tapajós River. The São Luiz do Tapajós hydrodam will be the largest, with a capacity of 8,040MW and a pool of 729 square kilometres. It will also threaten the survival of 12,000 people of the Munduruku indigenous tribe, which hasn’t been consulted as provided by the ILO-convention 169 (the Indigenous and Tribal People convention) and by Brazil’s constitution.

Greenpeace’s protest

Earlier in May, Greenpeace asked Siemens to publicly dissociate itself from the project, but the company has never answered. So, the environmental association took action on 7 July by organising a demonstration at Siemens’ headquarters in Milano, Italy, and showing the photos of the damage caused by the Belo Monte dam. “We ask Siemens to not participate in the construction of the São Luiz do Tapajós dam and to speak up against the destruction of the Amazon,” said Martina Borghi of Greenpeace Italy. “Siemens shouldn’t make the same mistake of the Belo Monte dam and instead include forest protection in its innovative environmental portfolio”.

Translated by Camilla Soldati



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