With Tramandaí’s entry into operation, EDP Renováveis Brasil now has a portfolio of 84 MW of installed power from wind energy sources. Furthermore, with the Tramandaí wind farm, Brazil now has more than 1000 MW of capacity from the force of winds, more than the power of a turbine of the Itaipu power plant.
EDP Renováveis Brasil complied with environmental requirements in the wind farm’s construction, including the protection and control of migratory bird routes and preservation of native flora and fauna species. Built on the southern end of the city of Tramandaí in an area of dunes, the wind farm generated 600 direct job positions during its construction alone to build its access roads, foundations, towers, substation and transmission line.
The wind farm is comprised of 31 wind turbines (from 1.9 to 2.3 MW) with 98-meter towers and 40-meter blades, totaling 138 meters in height, the same as a 50-floor building. To give an idea of its immense size, a single 2.3 MW windmill produces between 5 and 7 million KWh of clean power per year, corresponding to the consumption of around 2,000 households or 8,000 people.
With this new wind farm, EDP Renováveis Brasil is reinforcing its commitment to Brazilian wind power, a definitive strategic focus for the EDP Group, and in line with the Brazilian energy network’s need for clean energy to supplement its water power, since winds are stronger during dry spells. Brazil’s winds have high potential for speed and well-defined direction, coupled with a lower air density, making it one of the world’s best countries to develop wind power.
Corporate Social Responsibility
EDP Renováveis Brasil, through the EDP Institute, the institution that coordinates the EDP Group’s socio-environmental activities in Brazil, has social programs in Tramandaí (Rio Grande do Sul) and Água Doce (Santa Catarina). The projects help to enhance public education and the quality of living in local communities, with activities involving the environment focusing on environmental conservation. These programs include EDP nas Escolas (EDP in the Classroom), Diálogos com a Comunidade (Dialogues with the Community), Aventura e Ecologia (Adventure and Ecology) and the Curso de Educação Ambiental (Environmental Education Course).
EDP in the Classroom has been held in the municipality of Tramandaí (Rio Grande do Sul) since 2009, including schools of the Santa Catarina Municipal Secretary of Education and Culture and the Jorge Enéas Sperb Municipal School in Rio Grande do Sul. The purpose of the project is to improve the quality of students’ academic life in municipal public schools through a number of initiatives, including school kits, school theater, assisting the school environment, the "Art with Energy" cultural contest, teacher training and raising awareness for the safe and sensible use of electric power.
The Adventure and Ecology project began in December 2011, and involves ecological outings in the Tramandaí region. It is run by the NGO Farol da Terra and by the travel agency Expedições Jamboo Viagens e Turismo, and is sponsored by EDP Renováveis Brasil. The purpose of the initiative is to encourage the community to carry out activities involving the environment, tourism and wind power, focusing on environmental conservation. There are three different activities: the Ecological City Tour, Eco-tourism Canoeing and Environmental Mini-Courses on medicinal plants, environmental photography and other topics.
In 2011, EDP Renováveis Brasil also sponsored the Environmental Education Course, held for 40 representatives from 18 municipalities tied to the Tramandaí River Watershed Committee (Comitê da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Tramandaí). In addition, residents, local leaders and authorities from the Tramandaí region take part in Dialogues with the Community. The project has been held since the second half of 2010, promoting ongoing dialogues on topics of public interest involving the wind farm under construction in the region.
Wind power in Brazil
1997: 3 MW
1998: 17 MW (+466.7 %)
1999: 19 MW (+11.8 %)
2000: 22 MW (+15.8 %)
2001: 24 MW (+9.1 %)
2002: 22 MW (-8.3 %)
2003: 24 MW (+9.1 %)
2004: 24 MW (- %)
2005: 29 MW (+20.9 %)
2006: 237 MW (+717.3 %)
2007: 247 MW (+4.3 %)
2008: 339 MW (+37.3 %)
2009: 606 MW (+78.8 %)
2010: 931 MW (+53.7 %)
2011: 1,509 MW (+62.1 %)
