Brazil, Peru to build 1,400 MW power dam -minister

BRASILIA May 19 (Reuters) - Brazil and Peru have agreed to build a hydroelectric plant in Peru with a 1,400 megawatt capacity and are mulling 14 more power dam projects there, Brazilian Energy Minister Edison Lobao said on Monday.

Lobao told reporters the bulk of the energy from the planned dams will be sent to Brazil, Latin America's largest country, which is living a period of strong economic growth.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Peru last week.

Lobao did not provide details on the costs of the projects or how they would be financed.

In February, he said Brazil planned to build five hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 10,000 MW jointly with South American neighbors Argentina and Bolivia to boost electricity supply in the region, which has been beset by energy problems.

Brazil narrowly avoided power rationing this year after rains refilled power dam reservoirs following a long dry spell. Brazil relies on hydroelectric plants for about 80 percent of its energy needs. (Reporting by Isabel Versiani, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by David Gregorio)