Wind Energy

Wind power in Brazil – Impsa is awarded USD 300 million to develop new wind energy projects

Energimp, the Brazilian Power company controlled by Industrias Metalúrgicas Pescarmona and FI-FGTS, signed an agreement with the Caixa Econômica Federal de Brasil to obtain financing from the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) for USD 300 million.

The Brazilian wind farm market grew by 326 MW in 2010, bringing the total installed wind turbines capacity up to 931 MW. Brazil’s wind power potential is more than 350 GW. The Brazilian wind farm market grew by 326 MW in 2010, bringing the total installed wind turbines capacity up to 931 MW, a growth of 54.2% in terms of total installed capacity, and a 23.8% increase in terms annual capacity additions.

These funds will be used to develop 7 new wind farm plants in the municipalities of Acaraú and Acaratí, in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil. The wind turbines plants are to begin operations in 2012 with a total installed capacity of 211 MW, which will bring Energimp’s total installed wind power capacity in the country to 532,1 MW. With these wind power projects, the population served with clean renewable energy will be in the order of half a million households.

With a project portfolio of 803 MW and investments for USD 1800 million until 2012, Energimp is consolidating its position as the main investor in wind energy generation in Brazil. In addition to the above-mentioned wind farms, which were awarded by the 2009 Reserve Energy Auction, contracts have been signed for 10 wind farms with 148 wind turbines and 222 MW installed capacity in the state of Santa Catarina, and 9 wind farms with a total of 270 MW in the states of Ceará and Río Grande do Norte.

The financing process of these projects is nearing completion. Energimp and Impsa thus ratify their commitment to sustainable development and renewable energies in Latin American as they consolidate their leadership in the region.

Historically, only one wind turbine manufacturer, Wobben Windpower, a subsidiary of German company Enercon, was present in the Brazilian market. More recently other suppliers began to enter the market included the Argentinean company Impsa, as well as Suzlon and Vestas. More new market entrants that sold turbines in the 2009 and 2010 auctions include Alstom, Gamesa, GE Wind and Siemens. A further 1,500 MW could be coming online in 2013, according to the schedule of the 2010 auctions. A further two auctions have been announced for June 2011.

By José Santamarta, http://www.evwind.com/noticias.php?id_not=8981