New challenges for Brazil as growth continues

BRAZIL: The burgeoning wind market must now look at bigger turbines, improve logistics and consider offshore potential, said energy minister Eduardo Braga at the annual Brazil “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015 conference in Rio de Janeiro.

by Julio Santos 2 September 2015

Eduardo Braga said logistics must be improved

After becoming a key source for the safety of the Brazilian power system, wind power has now a new set of goals.

According to the Minister of Energy, Eduardo Braga, the country's wind power industry has three challenges ahead: investing in research to develop larger turbines; explore the offshore potential; and overcome logistical barriers, with improved roads and transport infrastructure.

"The next leap will come from research and development with the development of larger wind turbines and a better structuring of logistics," said the minister after the opening session of Brazil “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015. Companies in the country are already developing a 4MW wind turbine, he said.

The minister is optimistic about the ongoing growth of wind energy in the country. With the recent tenders for wind projects, the government expects that wind will represent 11% of the country’s power supply by 2023 compared to the current 5%.

Today, wind farms total 7GW of installed capacity. An extra 9GW contracted from the last auction is already under construction.