Free market and increased demand boost new wind projects

The prospect of growing industrial demand and the largest migration to the free energy market drive the wind source in Brazil. In 2018, the segment had an increment of 14.6% in the generation. " The energy consumption reached the pre-crisis levels, but the industrial volume is still below. Should an economic resumption occur, the demand will be immediate. This benefits the wind source, by the speed of execution of the projects ", highlights the president of Vestas in Brazil and in the southern region of Latin America, Rogério Zampronha. If the economy is growing above the expected in the coming years, it will be necessary to Expand the power generation capacity of the country. The construction of large hydroelectric dams is seen as unfeasible, due to costs, construction deadlines and environmental impacts. Zampronha estimates that a water project does not take less than seven years to finalise. "Already a wind farm is ready on a shorter deadline, and can start operating in about two years." The executive of Vestas, a Danish manufacturer of wind turbines, sees with optimism the Brazilian market. "The energy sector is a bit off the economy. There is an important migration to the free market, where renewables have presented good numbers. " In the second half of 2018, the company announced the expansion of its plant in Aquiraz (CE), where turbines of 4.2 megawatts (MW) are produced. The investment was 23 million euros. "In just seven months after the product launch, we reached 1 gigawatt contracted in the country, around 240 turbines," says Zampronha. Nordex Energy Country Director, Felipe Ramalho, explains that the company observes good prospects both in the regulated market and the free hiring environment. "We will have two new energy auctions in the coming months and hope to compete well in both. The commercialization of energy has shown an important growth, stimulated by the increase in tariffs, "he says. The manufacturer of wind energy equipment, the result of the merger of German Nordex with the Spanish Acciona Windpower, should invest about R $60 million in the production of turbines in Brazil. "The start of delivery will be in mid-2021, so we have to start the investment to finalize the production by the end of 2020," says Ramalho. The new product will have capacity between 5MW to 5, 5MW. "They are equipment with higher power than those used in the last auction winning projects. It brings greater competitiveness for less investment from the customer, "says the executive. Solutions The commercial director of Briskcom, Claudio Calonge, declares that the satellite telecommunications solutions company invested R $10 million last year. "We are structuring ourselves to absorb market growth." The company works with a power plant connectivity solution with the National Electric System Operator (ONS). "Many ventures are in places without infrastructure and the satellite allows a connection in less than thirty days," he explains. Calonge believes that the greatest demand for energy, as well as the need for maintenance of wind mills, will propel the market. "Even if the economy does not grow, the country will demand more generation. It is necessary to invest to avoid a new blackout and wind and solar energy should grow in this scenario. "