Vestas has won an order by developer Casa dos Ventos to provide turbines for the 534MW second phase of the Rio do Vento wind power complex in north-eastern Brazil.
The extension to the 504MW first phase of the project in Rio Grande do Norte State will make it Latin America’s largest wind project, topping 1GW.
The Danish OEM is slated to supply turbines from its V150-4.2MW model, with some delivered in a 4.3MW and others in a 4.5MW power mode to maximize the large site’s power production.
“The scale of this project shows the potential of clean energy in Brazil and it marks a big step forward in the country’s energy transition towards a more sustainable future,” said Vestas Mediterranean president Javier Rodriguez.
Mega projects
Rio do Vento is part of a recent series of mega-projects in Brazil’s Northeast that also includes the giant 2.4GW Serra Branca wind-solar hybrid project, and the Ventos de Santa Eugenia complex, for which Vestas rival Nordex has been lined up to deliver wind turbines.
The order is already the third contract between Vestas and Casa dos Ventos in less than two years, with combined orders totaling 1.2GW.
The deal swells the manufacturer’s total order intake in Brazil to date to more than 5.5GW.
“We are convinced that the equipment technology will enable us to extract the region's wind resource in an optimised way, serving our customers with clean, low-cost energy,” said Lucas Araripe, director of new business at Casa dos Ventos.
The order includes supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, as well as a 20-year service agreement.
The second phase of Rio do Vento is slated to become operational in 2023.
