Brazil: Development of one of the largest wind power clusters with a 1.2 GW potential capacity

Following the commissioning of the Vamcruz power plant in December 2015, Voltalia, renewable energy based electricity producer, announces the development of one of the largest wind power cluster in Brazil, with a future potential 1.2 GW capacity, of which 183 MW are currently in operation, 99 MW are in construction and 27 MW are ready to build.

“This cluster reflects Voltalia’s ambitions and confirms its position as a leading international renewable power producer in Brazil. Thanks to our highly skilled teams and a solid project pipeline, we are currently building our success in Brazil as well as in each of the countries where we operate”, says Sébastien Clerc, Voltalia’s CEO.

This cluster, called Serra Branca, will include the Areia Branca (90 MW) and Vamcruz (93 MW) operating plants; the latter started operations on December 22, 2015 after the progressive commissioning of its 31 wind turbines. The Vila Pará site (99 MW) will add to this list when its construction is achieved, as well as the Vila Acre project, won during the November 2015 national auctions. The cluster, located in the Rio Grande do Norte State in Brazil, benefits from outstanding wind conditions. In order to connect it to the national grid, Voltalia built its own 52-km transmission line with a 400 MVA capacity as soon as 2014.

In addition to the plants currently in operation or in construction, the cluster includes over 600 MW of projects in development and 330 MW in advanced prospecting. Plants developed within this cluster will be 100% held by Voltalia or built in partnerships; for example, the Vamcruz site, achieved in December 2015, is jointly held by CHESF, Encalso and Voltalia.

All energies considered, Voltalia’s total installed capacity in Brazil now amounts to 303 MW.