EDF Renewables Brazil boosts energy transition with new wind farm in the Northeast

Rio de Janeiro, August 29th 2023 – EDF Renewables, one of the main players in renewable energy in the world, started the commercial operation of phase 1 of the Serra do Seridó Wind Farm, located in the municipalities of Junco do Seridó, Santa Luzia, Salgadinho and Assunção, in Paraíba. The construction of the venture is in line with EDF Renewables’ purpose of promoting a carbon neutral future for the next generations, boosting investments in renewable energy projects and consolidating the sector in the country.

With an investment of approximately R$ 1.4 billion, financed by Banco do Nordeste and Banco do Brasil (onlender of the Northeast Development Fund – FDNE), the undertaking has 44 wind turbines and an installed capacity of 242 MW. About 20% of the energy from the first phase of the project was sold in the 04/2019 Generation Auction for the regulated segment and the remainder through the execution of PPAs in the free market.

“We are proud with the entry into commercial operation of this first stage of Serra do Seridó. It is a relevant milestone for EDF Renewables as it is our first park in the state of Paraíba. In addition to generating energy from a sustainable source, the project brings significant benefits to the local economy, generating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs throughout its implementation and operation phases”, says André Salgado, CEO of EDF Renewables Brasil and VP LATAM.

The construction of phase 1 of the wind farm included the implementation of a plan for hiring and training local labor so that residents in the project’s direct influence area would be able to take advantage of opportunities. More than 900 people were hired during construction, more than 30% of whom were from the vicinity of the development.

Based on a participatory analysis of local social and environmental demands, several actions were carried out, thus encouraging the launch of some initiatives such as the establishment of local agreements with veterinary clinics and the constitution of four rural professional training courses, provided by the Service National Rural Apprenticeship Program (SENAR), impacting a total of 66 people. A Cooperative Orientation Program (POC) has also been implemented in order to support the formation of a cooperative structure so that small goat and cattle producers in Barra, Santa Luzia, can offer the services and products generated by the future Regional Unit for the Processing of Milk and Derivatives, thus obtaining a greater competitive advantage than they would have if they were working individually.

The Serra do Seridó Wind Farm is EDF Renewables’ first venture in the state of Paraíba and its expansion is already under construction. With the second stage of the project, the complex will correspond to the company’s largest enterprise in South America. It is estimated that the two phases will avoid the annual emission of around 400 thousand tons of CO2, equivalent to the emission of more than 160 thousand cars in circulation per year.

About EDF Renewables

EDF Renewables is an international energy company which develops, builds and operates renewable power generation plants. As a major player in the energy transition worldwide, EDF Renewables deploys, within EDF, competitive, responsible and value-creating projects. In every country, our teams show their commitment to local stakeholders every day, adding their expertise and capacity for innovation to the fight against climate change. At the end of 2022, EDF Renewables operates a net installed wind and solar capacity of 11.4 GW (18.5 GW gross) worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables is pursuing its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and in the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned on offshore wind and floating wind as well as in new technologies such as energy storage, floating solar and agrivoltaism. In Brazil since 2015, EDF Renewables do Brasil is one of the country’s leaders in the renewable energy sector, totaling more than 1.8 GW in viable solar and wind energy projects in Bahia, Minas Gerais and Paraíba.