The Brazilian environment agency Ibama has approved the construction of the Belo Monte power dam in the Amazon. The project has been subject to controversy among natives and other conservationists. Norte Energia is the consortium that won the auction to build the dam, which is expected to cost USD 17 billion and generate 11,000 MW of energy once it becomes operational in 2015. Work on the 6 km long dam will necessitate also clearing 2.3 sq/km of forest.