Mar 2, 2021

The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) approved two financing in the amount of R$ 417 million for constructing the wind farms Ventos de Santa Martina 01 and Ventos de São Januário 23, located in the municipalities of Caiçara do Rio do Vento and Ruy Barbosa, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Together, the two wind farms will have an installed wind-power capacity of 121.8MW and produce energy equivalent to the consumption of 242,000 homes, generating 775 direct and indirect jobs.     

These two new parks will generate clean and renewable wind power, preventing the annual emission of 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide in greenhouse gases. To have a glimpse of the benefits arising from clean energy, studies estimate that 9 million trees would have to be planted to neutralize this amount of carbon dioxide.

The financing was equivalent to 77.2% of the total investment (amounting R$ 540 million) and was granted to the Special Purpose Entities (SPE) Ventos de Santa Amélia Energias Renováveis (wind farm Ventos de Santa Martina 01) and Ventos de Santo Abelardo Energias Renováveis (Ventos de São Januário 23). The wind complex construction began in February 2020, and the parks are expected to enter into operation by the first quarter of 2022.

Almost three-quarters of BNDES-financed resources will be allocated for the acquisition of wind turbines, which converts wind power into electricity. The remaining investments will involve civil works, electromechanical systems, and the construction of transmission lines.

The strategy for commercializing energy generated at the Rio do Vento involves long-term agreements in the free energy market, possibly contemplating the self-production regime for eventual strategic partnerships of the Casa dos Ventos. Thus, the free market energy buyer may acquire a share to become a business partner of the power companies. In addition to the free market, about 4% of the energy was traded on the regulated market.

"By financing the free energy market, BNDES helps to enable innovative commercial solutions, with synergies between purchase and sale agreements and the self-production regime. The projects of Casa dos Ventos fit into this perspective," explained Carla Primavera, superintendent of the Energy Area of BNDES.

BNDES's investments in energy production comply with the National Plan on Climate Change (PNMC) efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. PNMC also seeks to maintain a high participation of renewable energy in the electricity matrix, preserving the prominent position that Brazil has always occupied in the international scenario. The Bank effort also meets the Federal Government 2030 National Energy Plan, with strategies to expand affordable and sustainable energy in the upcoming decade.

Other wind power projects – In April 2020, BNDES and Engie Brasil closed agreements in the amount of R$ 1.243 billion for building the Campo Largo – Phase 2 wind complex in the municipalities of Umburanas and Sento Sé. The project installed capacity is 361.2 MW, enough to supply 850,000 households.

Last June, the Bank also financed the building of the wind farm Ventos de Santa Martina 14, which comprises the Rio do Vento Wind Complex, in the amount of R$ 208 million.

In October, BNDES approved the financing in the amount of R$ 568 million for implanting six wind farms and associated substation in the municipalities of Lajes, Pedro Avelino, and Pedra Preta, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The installed wind-power capacity of the Jerusalem wind complex will be 180.6 MW, enough to supply about 457,000 households.

BNDES Finem – It is the financing line above R$ 40 million aimed at investment projects in general. This support extends to practically all economic segments, having as one of the main evaluation criteria the social benefits of these initiatives. 

About BNDES – Founded in 1952 and currently linked to the Ministry of Economy, BNDES is the main instrument of the Federal Government to promote long-term investments in the Brazilian economy. Its actions are focused on socioenvironmental and economic impact in Brazil. BNDES offers special conditions for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, as well as social investment lines, directed at education and health, family agriculture, sanitation and urban transport.  In situations of crisis, BNDES acts in an anticyclical manner and assists in the formulation of solutions for the resumption of economic growth.

About the proponent – The SPEs Ventos de Santa Amélia Energias Renováveis and Ventos de Santo Abelardo Energias Renováveis belong to the economic group Casa dos Ventos, estimated to participate in the development of 30% of all wind projects in the country. The company is executing projects for solar and wind power generation in the states of Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, and Bahia.