The wind power cumulative installed capacity in Brazil rose by close to 50% during 2011 as analyzed by a recent research report “Brazil Wind Power Market Analysis” published by KuicK Research.
According to the report, the wind power cumulative installed capacity surpassed 1 GW to reach close to 1.4 GW during 2011. The growth in the cumulative installed capacity was third highest in last five years as compare to close to 65% and 55% in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
The increasing participation by private sector in wind power projects auction process has led to phenomenal growth levels attained by wind power sector in Brazil. These auction process followed by government has emerged as one of the imperative factors responsible for the growth of wind power industry in Brazil. The auction process has also resulted in wind power to emerge as one of the cheapest source of energy as compare to power generated from
hydro or natural gas. During 2011 auction, power generated from wind was priced at BRL 99.5/MWh as compare to BRL 103/MWh for natural gas and average price of BRL 102.07/MWh for overall auction process.
According to the research report “Brazil Wind Power Market Analysis” findings, the wind power sector will play an important role in Brazil energy matrix. The increasing wind power capacity in region will help Brazil to shift its dependency on hydropower projects which as of now dominate the overall energy matrix. Brazilian government is pushing wind power as a substitute to replace hydropower which is more dependent on rain as compare to wind
which is present in abundance in northeast region in Brazil. In fact, the hydro power, which constitutes a majority of power source in Brazil, is now limited, for further expansion.
The research report “Brazil Wind Power Market Analysis” provides detailed information on cumulative installed capacity, installed capacity by region and state, operational and under construction wind farms, onshore and offshore wind resources by region at variable wind speed, changing wind power sector dynamics along with regulatory and competitive landscape.
[mappress] Offshore Wind Staff, March 05, 2012