ABSTRACT
With the construction of the ‘Lajes’ reservoir, ‘Rio Light’ power company, nowadays ‘LIGHT S.A.’, began the construction of a hydroelectric power plant complex to supply the increasing demand for electric energy of the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Although causing heavy environmental damages, the first part of the ‘Lajes’ complex was a turning point and a great advancement at the time (the beginning of the twentieth century) when a 30 km2 surface water reservoir was built for hydroelectric power generation. This study aims to record a little of this history by presenting government policy conflicts, law disputes and the destruction of the whole municipality of Sao Joao Marcos-RJ.
Keywords:
Lajes reservoir; São João Marcos; Lajes hydroelectric complex.