The World Bank is pressuring Brazil to remove regulations that slow down the approval and construction of new hydroelectric dams, in a new report that attacks the country’s environmental licensing laws as “obstacles to development.” It criticizes the regulations for leading to delays that cause anxiety in private investors.

In spite of these supposedly severe regulations, plans are proceeding for two new hydrolectric dams along the country’s Madeira River. A consortium of Brazilian companies, along with the banks Banif and Santander, are proceeding with plans to build and operate one dam, while bidding opens May 12 for the rights to build and operate a second. This second dam, the 3,300 MW Jirau plant, is expected to be operational by 2013