Odebrecht wins Global Best Projects award for completing the combined cycle of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant (RJ)

Odebrecht Engenharia & Construção reaffirmed its leadership and innovation in executing large-scale projects by winning the Global Best Projects 2025 award, promoted by the U.S. magazine Engineering News-Record (ENR), with the project to complete the combined cycle of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant, in Rio de Janeiro, in the Energy/Industrial category.

Before modernization, the Santa Cruz plant had an installed capacity of 350 MW, consisting of two Siemens Westinghouse W501F gas turbine generator units. After the works, in addition to the two existing gas turbine generators, the thermal power plant now includes two new heat recovery boilers with three pressure levels and a new steam turbine generator. In this new configuration, the Santa Cruz TPP increased its power generation capacity by approximately one-third, reaching a total of 500 MW.

Santa Cruz previously operated in an open cycle, meaning it did not use the exhaust heat from the two natural gas turbines, each with a nominal power of 175 MW. In the former operating model, the heat generated was released into the atmosphere through bypass stacks. Thermal cycles of this configuration typically yield between 25% and 35%. With the completion of the combined cycle, this heat began to be reused: the exhaust gases from the two gas turbine generators, operating at high temperatures, are directed to two heat recovery boilers where thermal energy is transferred to the water circuit, producing steam. This steam, superheated in the boilers, is then directed to a steam turbine generator, producing additional electric power.

The investment brought significant economic benefits, as more electrical energy is now generated using the same natural gas consumption, resulting in greater thermal efficiency and environmental benefits — both from better use of natural gas thermal energy and from releasing gases into the atmosphere at lower temperatures.

According to Maria Alencar, Project Director responsible for delivering the project, completing this modernization work is a source of great pride for everyone in the company:

“We delivered a highly relevant project that strengthens the country’s energy security and leaves us with valuable learning due to the technologies applied.”

Award history – This is not the first time Odebrecht has been recognized by ENR. In 2018, it won the Bridges and Tunnels category for São Paulo Metro Line 5 – Lilac. The previous year, it was highlighted for works on the Galeão Airport and the Olympic Park, both in Rio de Janeiro. To date, Odebrecht has been awarded for 30 projects in Brazil and abroad, including the Etileno XXI Petrochemical Complex (Mexico); Nacala Airport (Mozambique); the AirportLink Metrorail extension, MIA Mover, and North Terminal of the Miami International Airport (USA); and the Autopista del Coral (Dominican Republic). In 2024, the company received the Award of Merit for the Southern Gas Terminal (TGS), in Santa Catarina, and for the Line 2 Metro branch in Panama City.

The recognition from ENR reinforces Odebrecht’s commitment to innovation and efficient management, delivering a highly complex project with positive social impact and essential for the country’s energy development. The Global Best Projects award demonstrates the company’s ability to apply technical and sustainable solutions that transform infrastructure and generate progress.

The modernization work at Santa Cruz TPP was executed by Tenenge, an Odebrecht company specializing in engineering, industrial construction, and assembly projects. The company operates in an integrated manner, following modern management processes and bringing technical capacity to add value in all phases of a project’s life cycle. Across its operations, the company holds certifications obtained through its Management System, covering ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, PBQP-H, ASME S and R stamps, and OHSAS 18001:2007.