Construction starts on 150MW Spanish-BRIC wind energy project in Brazil

Spanish and Brazilian firms have started construction on what will be one of the BRIC country’s largest onshore wind projects. IBERDROLA, a wind power firm in Spain, and the Brazilian consortium Neoenergia, have commenced construction of the wind plants, which will have total installed capacity of 150MW.

The Calango site, formed by five wind farms with installed capacity of 30MW each, will be built in the state of Rio Grande Do Norte. It is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2013.

The wind turbines, which Spanish firm Gamesa has developed, are being built in the company's factory in the municipality of Camaçarí, in the state of Bahía.

The project adds to another five plants being developed in Brazil. These are Mel 2 at 20MW and Arizona 1 at 28MW, in the state of Rio Grande, and the 90MW Caetité site, formed of three wind farms with installed capacity of 30MW each. The plants are already in the advanced stages of development.

Altogeher, the 10 wind farms that IBERDROLA and Neoenergia jointly develop in Brazil will have installed capacity of 288 MW.

The company said: “The capacity of these 10 wind power infrastructures will enable the company to generate enough energy to supply some 450,000 Brazilian households, while curbing yearly CO2 emissions by 510,000 tonnes.”

The project follows on for other developments set to boost wind power in Brazil. This includes Danish firm LM Wind Power’s plans to build a blade manufacturing facility in the BRIC country.

Click on the link to see an RET article about the project: http://bit.ly/R0oxP8