Swedish construction group Skanska has won a $485m engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a thermal power plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The contract has been awarded by Petrobras. Under the terms, Skanska will provide basic and detailed engineering design services, including construction of the facilities, civil works and electromechanical installations.

Skanska will also assist in the start up and operation of the 550MW plant.

Work on the project is scheduled to start immediately and be completed in 2014.