The largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas has begun operating in Bahia, with 7 MW of installed capacity, enough to power approximately 15 homes. The equipment was integrated into the Seabra Wind Farm, part of the Brotas de Macaúbas Complex, in a modernization project led by Statkraft.
The investment was supported by BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) and the Federal Government. Petrobras provided R$130 million from a research and development program run by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), while WEG was responsible for the design and manufacture of the wind turbine.
According to Petrobras' Director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Renata Baruzzi, "Petrobras, by directing part of its investments to co-create a new generation of wind energy equipment, acquires knowledge that can support the company in future projects, in addition to contributing to the diversification of the Brazilian energy matrix."
WEG, the equipment's developer, emphasizes the technological advancement achieved. For João Paulo Gualberto da Silva, Managing Director of WEG Energia, "the development of the 7 MW wind turbine reflects our capacity for innovation and consolidates WEG's role as a leading player in the advancement of wind energy. This project, in addition to being a technological milestone, reinforces our commitment to solutions that promote energy efficiency and sustainability."
Statkraft, responsible for the acquisition and installation, emphasizes the benefits for the electricity sector. "Statkraft's partnership with WEG and Petrobras to build the largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas not only reaffirms our commitment to innovation and operational efficiency, but also contributes to a cleaner energy matrix and sets a new standard for the Brazilian electricity sector," says Thiago Tomazzoli, the company's CEO.
One of the new equipment's distinguishing features is reduced energy costs. With greater capacity per unit area, it reduces the need for multiple towers, optimizing land use and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
The wind turbine, which completed its commissioning phase in July, is impressive in its size: it is 220 meters high to the tip of the blade (the equivalent of six statues of Christ the Redeemer) and weighs 1.830 tons, similar to 1.660 popular cars or 44 Boeing 737 aircraft.
WEG projects that, depending on market demand, the model could be produced on an industrial scale for new wind energy projects in Brazil.
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