Brazil to invest US$ 19 bn in wind energy

Wind energy is entering a new stage in terms of competitiveness in Brazil, with forecasted investment exceeding 40 billion reals (US$ 19.6 billion) up until 2020. This new stage, which began in 2009, amounts to an added 6.7 gigawatts (GW) of power, at the cost of 100 reals (US$ 49) per megawatt-hour (MWh). Brazilian investment in wind energy began in 2004, with subsidies from the Alternative Energy Sources Incentive Program (Proinfa, in the Portuguese acronym). The goal was to come up with new technologies and renewable forms of power generation, including Small Hydroelectric Stations, biomass and wind. Wind is the second most competitive source in the country. “Right now, the only cheaper source is large hydroelectric plants,” said the CEO of the Brazilian Wind Energy Association (Abeelica), Elbia Melo. Issues pertaining to technology, market and financing will be discussed by industry representatives starting this Wednesday (29th) in Rio de Janeiro, during the 3rd Brazil WindPower. It is the leading event for the industry in Latin America, and will continue until August 31st. From 2004 to 2011, 25 billion reals (US$ 12.2 billion) were invested in the Brazilian wind energy industry.