MPX Energia has announced that national development bank BNDES accepted its request for $890 million to finance the construction of three gas-powered plants at Parnaíba Thermoelectric Complex.

MPX is controlled by Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista.

The new plants will have a combined installed capacity of 1500 MW, and will be located in Maranhao state close to where Batista's oil-and-gas company OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes recently discovered natural-gas deposits.

In a statement the company added that MPX, ‘also has an installation license for an additional 2.2 GW, which can be sold as the Company’s ongoing drilling campaign identifies new, commercially viable fields for gas production. The gas supply will be guaranteed by two fields, Gavião Real and Gavião Azul.’