Copel brings Jandaíra wind complex online

Brazilian electric utility Copel, through its subsidiary Copel Geração e Transmissão (Copel GeT), has started commercial operations of its Jandaíra wind complex.

Copel turned on the first 45MW of the 90MW wind complex, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The rest will gradually come online by the end of this year.

Nearly a third (30%) of the output generated from the complex was contracted in the A-6 energy auction, held in 2019. The 20-year contracts will kick off in 2025. The remaining portion will be sold in the free market through the company’s energy trading arm Copel Mercado Livre.

Copel secured financing from Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB) covering about half of the R$411 million ($79 million) investment needed for the complex.

"The early entry into operation is the result of a permanent effort by Copel GeT to maximize the return on investments made, following a strategy of sustainable growth and the commitment to generate value with projects that contribute to the diversification and expansion of the company's renewable portfolio,” said Moacir Carlos Bertol, chief executive of Copel GeT.

Once the entire complex comes online, wind generation will represent 17% of the company’s total installed generation capacity. Earlier this month the Brazilian utility grew its wind portfolio with the acquisition of 2 operational wind farms totaling 260MW from EDP Renováveis.