The Brazilian government expects the 3.3GW Jirau hydro plant to receive its installation license by the end of the week, according to mines and energy minister Edison Lobão.
"It's running a little late. The idea is for the license to be granted soon in time to take advantage of the country's hydrological window," the minister said at an event in Rio de Janeiro.
"We are working hard to get the license and [environmental regulator] Ibama has promised it," Lobão added.
The rainy season is about to start in Brazil and Lobão fears the Enersus consortium, which won the right to build and operate the plant, will not be able to start Jirau construction this year.
If this happens, the plant may not be delivered on time. Jirau, to be built in northern Brazil's Rondônia state, is scheduled to be completed by 2011.
Enersus is made up of multinational energy group GDF Suez with a 50.1% stake, engineering firm Camargo Corrêa with 9.9% and federal power holding company Eletrobrás subsidiaries Eletrosul and Chesf with 20% each.
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