Wind Power News: Brazil
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Lear’s macaws threatened by planned wind farm in Brazil, experts warn
French renewable energy developer Voltalia plans to install 81 wind turbines in Brazil’s Bahia state, in an area that’s also the main refuge of the endangered Lear’s macaw (Anodorhynchus leari). Conservationists warn that the birds may collide with the turbines, especially because they fly at dawn and dusk, when visibility is poor. Fewer than 1,500 Lear’s macaws remain in the area; the species also suffers as a result of trafficking for the illegal pet trade. Voltalia says it is taking . . . Complete story »
Usina eólica no Piauí vê peças despencarem de turbina; fabricante investiga caso
Um parque eólico operado pela elétrica Omega Geração no Piauí teve uma de suas turbinas danificadas no domingo, quando peças da máquina despencaram de uma altura de quase 100 metros. O incidente não deixou feridos, mas exigiu a paralisação da operação do aerogerador, fabricado pela espanhola Gamesa, informou a Omega em comunicado nesta segunda-feira, após questionamentos da Reuters. Imagens que circularam por redes sociais mostram que a torre da turbina permaneceu no lugar, enquanto partes do equipamento, como pás e . . . Complete story »
Worker hurt after fifth GE wind turbine collapse this year
General Electric faces new questions over the safety of its wind turbines after the fifth collapse this year left a worker injured in Brazil. The worker is being treated for injuries after the incident at the Delta 6 wind farm operated by Omega Energia in Maranhao state. A GE statement sent to Recharge said: “On 3 September, a GE turbine collapsed at the Delta 6 wind park, located at Paulino Neves, Maranhao. “During the collapse, three GE employees were at . . . Complete story »
GE investigates new wind turbine collapse in Brazil
General Electric Co is investigating the cause of another accident involving wind power equipment it built and installed on a wind farm in Brazil operated by power company Omega, the two companies said on Thursday. On Tuesday, a GE wind turbine fell to the ground from its tower at the Delta 6 wind farm in Brazil’s northern Maranhao state. A worker is being treated for injuries. Two months ago another turbine made by GE collapsed in Brazil when its tower . . . Complete story »
Brazil wind turbine collapse is GE’s fourth in Americas this year
A 1.7MW GE turbine has collapsed at a wind farm in Brazil, the fourth such incident for the US manufacturer in the Americas in the past five months. The collapse at the 216MW Ventos de São Clemente wind complex in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, which has been confirmed by GE, comes as the OEM probes three recent turbine collapses in the US – in February, May and July – and after a leading renewables insurer has raised concerns about the possibility . . . Complete story »
Latin American land owners are fighting to keep power lines out
Gilson Denardin always hated the towering transmission lines crisscrossing his farm in northeastern Brazil. So when he caught wind of plans to put up two more sets of wires, he decided to put up a fight. “It’s awful,” said the owner of 7,400 acres of farmland in Brazil’s Northeast. “My land loses its value with so many power lines.” Denardin is leading a local movement to force power companies to pay farmers more for their trouble, and he’s not alone . . . Complete story »
‘This noise that never stops’: Wind farms come to Brazil’s Atlantic coast
GALINHOS, Brazil – At night, blinking red dots fill the sky, and the sound of whooshing rotating blades is everywhere – constant reminders of the wind’s abundant presence here on Brazil’s Atlantic coast and its harvesting as a natural resource. At daybreak, towers rising nearly 400 feet peek out high above the canopy of palm trees, like gigantic dandelions. On this part of the Atlantic coast, the wind blows constantly and in one direction consistently, giving Brazil a steady stream for energy . . . Complete story »
Brazil cancels 557.4MW of solar and wind in de-contraction auction
Brazil’s energy agency ANEEL has cancelled nine solar projects totalling 249.7MW of capacity and 16 wind farms with a combined capacity of 307.7MW in its first ever de-contraction auction. The auction took place due to a high number of projects being contracted in Brazil’s first reserve energy auctions between 2014 and 2015 remaining unbuilt and becoming idle. This was partly the result of inexperienced players partaking in the initial auction. The de-contraction will allow the government to make more accurate . . . Complete story »
Suzlon to exit Brazil
Indian turbine manufacturer Suzlon has filed for voluntary liquidation of its Brazilian operations, after 11 years in the country. The firm said the move was “a consequence of multiple factors that are unique to Brazil”. A company spokesperson said: “We believe that this is a responsible decision for the benefit of long-term sustainability of the company and its shareholders.” Suzlon has around 740MW of wind capacity installed in Brazil, having entered the country in 2006. The manufacturer said the decision . . . Complete story »
Vestas turbine catches fire at 27 MW wind farm in Brazil
Vestas has confirmed that the nacelle of a V112-3.0 MW turbine caught fire at the 27 MW Xangri-la site, in the southern Brazilian Rio Grande do Sul state, on Saturday, Oct. 15. According to a spokesperson for the manufacturer, no injuries or other material damage occurred as a result of the fire. “Vestas is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire,” says the spokesperson. “We have already begun examining data from the turbine, and a team of experts . . . Complete story »
