Wind Energy

Wind energy has recently integrated the energy matrix of Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul. Stimulated by the Alternative Energy Sources Incentive Program (Proinfa), the inclusion of wind power in auctions for future power purchases and by reserve auctions, wind energy has been growing and consolidating itself as a complementary source for energy supply. In the wake of the expansion of wind farms in the Northeastern and Southern Regions, a new production chain has emerged. The sector comprises the installation of new wind farms; companies for the production of machinery, equipment and components; research, development and innovation centers; and companies providing engineering, logistics, procurement, construction, maintenance, operation of parks and other related services.

Wind energy accounts for 7.46% of Brazil’s installed electricity generation capacity, which corresponds to 11.5 GW, from 470 wind farms (Aneel). The sector is expanding capabilities every year. In 2005, the installed capacity was 27.1 MW and by 2020, it is projected to reach 17.9 GW (Abeeólica). The Ten-Year Energy Plan (PDE) foresees an increase of 18.4 GW by 2026. Brazil is the 9th country in installed capacity and ranks 5th in the expansion of its installed capacity, among the wind energy producing countries (GWEC).

Rio Grande do Sul installed the first wind park in Brazil, ranks fourth in Brazil in electricity generation capacity from wind, has 1.82 GW installed, distributed in 80 wind farms, and three other parks in the state are under construction. Rio Grande do Sul is considered the Brazilian state with greatest potential for wind power generation.

The Wind Energy Atlas of Rio Grande do Sul was launched in 2014.It included measurements of wind potential and wind regime – of the State and its municipalities - as well as other key information for planning and decision making on new investments. These measurements showed that Rio Grande do Sul is the Brazilian state with the highest wind potential: onshore (103 GW in towers, 100 meters in height and 245 GW in towers, 150 meters in height) and offshore (34 GW in ponds and 80 GW in the ocean) (Atlas Energia Eólica).

Regarding the projects developed in Rio Grande do Sul, it is worth mentioning the Campos Neutrais Wind Complex, the largest in Latin America, with 302 wind turbines, distributed among three wind farms and located in the municipalities of Chuí and Santa Vitória do Palmar, which generates 0.6 GW. Another project that deserves mention is the Honda Energy Wind Farm, in the municipality of Xangri-lá, in the Northern Coast, which has an innovative design. The complex is dedicated to the generation of energy to supply the demands of the automobile plant, research center and headquarters of Honda Automóveis, in Sumaré, São Paulo. In 2016, this business model entirely based on renewable energies resulted in the production of 2,015 cars and kept 12,866 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.

The State Government currently monitors 118 wind farm projects, with potential for generating 2.6 GW. All of these projects have economic and environmental viability.

There are also projects aimed to increase the length of the transmission lines by 1.9 thousand km, involving seven new stations and 16 substations, and an estimate of around R$ 3.2 billion in investments. The execution of these projects, in the coming years, will allow the installation of new wind farms in the state regions with higher generation potential.

Regarding the wind energy chain, Rio Grande do Sul counts on manufacturers of turbine towers and now seeks manufacturers of wind turbines and blades.

Other factors that benefit the wind sector in Rio Grande do Sul concern its proximity to the Argentine and Uruguayan markets, with an expanding renewable energy matrix, the availability of research and technology development networks in the universities of Rio Grande do Sul, qualified human resources and an organized sector, with representatives of universities and the public and private sectors, and companies in the following segments: project development and generation, distribution and manufacture of components.

Sector opportunities

• The 118 wind farm projects with economic and environmental viability monitored by the State Government.
• Rio Grande do Sul’s characteristics and potential indicate a future demand for wind turbines, nacelles, blades and towers, as well as services of maintenance and equipment replacement.
• The establishment of a blade manufacturer would meet the needs of wind farms in the State and neighboring growing markets, such as Uruguay and Argentina.
• The manufacture of the nacelle electronic components may benefit from a consolidated industry, professional expertise and a teaching and research network focused on the development of the sector. This provides an opportunity for establishing new plants and/or converting the current plants of the electronics sector to the manufacture of components for nacelles.
• The wind farms already established in Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil and in neighboring countries will require the installation of a network of maintenance and spare parts services, still incipient in Rio Grande do Sul. This market can be supplied by a research and technical education network formed by qualified professionals.
• Establishment of reference centers for the development of technologies to improve the performance of wind turbines and their adaptation to the winds in Brazil and neighboring countries, and that count on laboratories that provide wind power certification and measurement services. The certifications would meet the demands of Brazilian wind farms currently met by European laboratories. In Rio Grande do Sul has a consolidated research network and professionals dedicated to wind energy. This network, leveraged by the presence of technological parks and incubators, can support the installation of reference centers of the segment.
• Installation of new wind farms according to the self-production model adopted by Honda Energy.

Business opportunities for partnerships

Look for local opportunities.