EDF Renewables starts full commercial operation of phase 2 of the Serra do Seridó Wind Farm
Rio de Janeiro, July 18th, 2024 – EDF Renewables Brasil announced the entry into full commercial operation of phase 2 of the Serra do Seridó Wind Farm, located in the municipalities of Junco do Seridó, Santa Luzia, Salgadinho and Assunção, in Paraíba.
With phases 1 and 2, Serra do Seridó represents EDF Renewables’s largest wind complex in South America, totaling 480 MW of installed capacity. Together, the 2 phases will be able to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of about 1.5 million homes per year and avoid the annual emission of up to 400,000 tons of CO₂ or 160,000 cars on the road each year.
Phase 2 has a total installed capacity of 237.8 MW and 41 wind turbines and was made possible exclusively in the free market, through power purchase agreements known as PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). The construction of phase 2 involved the hiring of more than 1,000 workers, 35% of whom were local residents. The investment, which was financed by Banco do Nordeste, amounts to more than R$ 1.5 billion.
As part of its commitment to the local community, phase 2 of the park organized several activities, including a training course in partnership with the Paraíba Company for Research, Rural Extension and Land Regularization (EMPAER-PB) for rural producers. In this course, they learned about the recovery of degraded areas, the importance of family farming, and the relevance of umbu and cashew cultivation to the local economy. The park also held editions of the “Environmental Journey” initiative in local schools, providing educational content about the caatinga biome, renewable energy and responsible use of natural resources.
“The entry into operation of the second phase of the Serra do Seridó Wind Farm is a milestone that reinforces our commitment to renewable energy and to advancing towards a carbon-neutral future, also contributing to the decarbonization strategy of our customers. By providing clean and sustainable energy, we contribute to the fight against climate change and foster socio-economic progress in the localities and communities where we operate, a crucial factor for a sustainable energy transition”, says André Salgado, CEO of EDF Renewables Brazil and VP LATAM.
The entry into full commercial operation of the second phase of Serra do Seridó reaffirms EDF Renewables’s long-term commitment to Brazil and strengthens its contribution to a just energy transition, combining innovative solutions, operational excellence and social and environmental responsibility. In Brazil since 2015, EDF Renewables Brasil is an important player in the renewable energy sector, totaling more than 1.8 GW in viable solar and wind energy projects in Bahia, Minas Gerais and Paraíba.
About EDF Renewables:
EDF Renewables is a global energy company that develops, constructs, and operates renewable energy generation plants. A key player in the energy transition worldwide, EDF Renewables implements competitive, responsible projects within the EDF Group, generating value. In all the countries where it operates, our teams are committed daily to local stakeholders, combining their expertise and innovation capacity to combat climate change. By the end of 2023, EDF Renewables operated a net installed capacity of wind and solar projects equivalent to 12.8 GW worldwide. Primarily present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues to grow and position itself in promising markets such as Brazil, China, India, South Africa, and the Middle East. Despite its strong involvement in onshore wind and photovoltaic solar, the company also operates in offshore and floating wind, as well as in new technologies such as energy storage, floating solar, and agrivoltaics. In Brazil since 2015, EDF Renewables Brazil is an important player in the renewable energy sector, totaling over 1.8 GW in viable solar and wind energy projects in Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Paraíba.
