A consortium led by Suez, the Franco-Belgian water and energy utility, has won a licence to build and operate the second of two controversial hydro-electric power stations on the River Madeira on the eastern edge of the Brazilian Amazon.

The power plants have met stiff opposition from indigenous peoples and environmental groups. A row inside the Brazilian government over delays in granting environmental licences was a reason for the resignation last week of Marina Silva, the former crusading environment minister.