Latin America is growing and hungry for energy, but depends on fossil fuels for 37 percent of its energy mix. Renewable energy can contribute to sustainable development and low carbon, with EGP lending a hand.
Latin America is growing in every sense: its population is increasing rapidly, businesses are developing and quality of life is improving, but with that also comes increasing imbalances and unknowns. Energy and electricity are part of a path which in a number of different ways will affect the entire subcontinent, from Tierra del Fuego to the Caribbean.
According to a recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank (Bis), by 2030 Latin America will double its current installed energy production capacity, bringing it up to 600 gigawatts, at a cost of around $430billion for the construction of new plants.
‘This is a challenge and an opportunity for Latin America to redefine the region’s energy model’ and give impetus to the development of renewable energy, writes Bis. Fossil fuels currently account for 37 percent of the generation mix, a number that could increase through greater use of natural gas. In contrast renewable energy, says BIS, could reach 78 PWh &sup5; of electricity production through an increased contribution of solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and marine power.
The growth of Enel Green Power in Latin America is testament to Latin America’s low carbon economy potential. InMexico,Chile and Brazil EGP is experiencing a period of growth across all renewable energy technologies, with new work sites being opened and new plants being put online.
In Brazil, EGP has completed the construction of Primavera, the Cristal wind farm’s first facility, located in Morro do Chapéu in Bahia state. EGP’s wind farm in Brazil, Primavera is comprised of thirteen 2.3 megawatt wind turbines which together have a total installed capacity of 30MW, and is capable of generating over 145 million kilowatt-hours per year.
With a total investment of about €165million
,the Cristal complex will have a total installed capacity of 90MW and an expected annual production of over 400 million kWh. Primavera brings Enel Green Power’s installed capacity in Brazil to more than 120MW, of which 93MW from hydro.