EDP Renewables starts construction of Tramandai Wind Farm in Brazil

(29/03/2010)

EDP Renewables has broken ground on its third wind farm in Brazil, based in Tramandai, Rio Grande do Sul. The Tramandai Wind Farm has a installed capacity of 70 MW and an estimated production of 211,437 MWh per year, enough to supply a city of 200,000 inhabitants.

Located in the south of the city of Tramandai in an area of 832 hectares, the wind farm should generate almost 1,000 jobs during peak construction periods, when the access roads, foundations, towers, sub-station and transmission lines are built.

When the project is completed, which is expected to be at the end of this year, the company will have a wind power generation capacity of 84 MW, 13.8 MW of which corresponds to two already-operational parks in Santa Catarina. With all production fully contracted within the Brazilian Government's PROINFA renewable energy incentive programme, the Tramandai project will comprise 31 wind turbines (from 1.9 to 2.3 MW) with 98-metre towers and 40-metre blades, reaching a total height of 138 metres, equivalent to a 50-storey building. To give an idea of its scope, a single 2.3 MW wind turbine produces 3 to 5 million kWh per year of clean energy - the amount consumed by 1,600 homes or 6,400 people.

The Tramandai Wind Farm strengthens EDP Group's firm, strategic commitment to wind power and responds to Brazilian parent company's need for clean energy to complement its hydro-electric and thermal energy production. As Brazil's economy grows the country will need new alternative energy sources. As well as being environmentally friendly, renewable energies allow for a considerable reduction of Brazil's dependency on foreign energy.

EDP Renewables was awarded the license to build the wind farm in January this year by the Brazilian Government's State Foundation of Environmental Protection (Fepam). After a two-year process, the company has now obtained the required regulatory permits, including provisions for the protection and control of migrating birds and the preservation of native flora and fauna.

EDP Renewables Brazil - which is focused on wind power generation in Brazil - is owned by EDP Renewables (55%) and EDP Energias Do Brasil (45%).

Related categories:  Wind power