- Enel says it has started operations in South America’s largest wind farm.
- The 716MW plant will generate 3.3TWh annually.
- The project is set to be expanded to 1.1GW.
Italian renewable energy firm Enel Green Power has announced that its 716MW Lagoa dos Ventos wind farm in Brazil has begun commercial operation. The project which cost BRL 3 billion (US$592m/€486m), was developed by Enel’s Brazilian unit, Enel Green Power Brasil Participacoes Ltda (EGPB).
The company added that the Lagoa dos Ventos wind farm is the largest operational wind energy installation globally and the largest operating wind project in South America. The farm, which is situated in the northeastern state of Piaui, comprises 230 turbines and will produce than 3.3 TWh manually.
Enel Green Power will sell the power from 510MW piece of the farm to a pool of distribution companies operating in the regulated market under 20-year PPA contracts. Output from the remaining 206MW will be sold on the free market to retail customers.
Enel is currently constructing the 396MW Lagoa dos Ventos III wind farm, which is expected to increase the number of turbines at the complex to 302 and the installed capacity to 1.1GW. Enel has a total installed capacity of about 3.7GW of renewable energy in Brazil, including 1,498MW from wind farms and 979MW from solar PV plants.