Petrobras, WEG, and Statkraft have commissioned the largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas. Petrobras contributed R$130 million from its R&D&I agreement with the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) and partnered with WEG, a global Brazilian electronics equipment company, to develop the equipment. The project also received contributions from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and the Federal Government through the Ministry of the Environment. Built by WEG, with 7 MW of installed capacity, it can generate approximately 2,500 MWh/month, equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 15,000 Brazilian homes.
The wind turbine was purchased and installed by Statkraft as part of the Seabra Wind Farm modernization project in the Brotas de Macaúbas Complex in Bahia. The R&D&I clause is part of concession contracts for oil and natural gas exploration and production and requires companies to invest a percentage of their gross revenue from high-production fields in Research, Development, and Innovation projects.
'This is an important milestone. The theoretical and practical skills we've accumulated during this development will support other renewable generation projects, reinforcing our commitment to diversifying into low-carbon businesses,' says Angélica Laureano, Director of Energy Transition and Sustainability at Petrobras.
'By directing part of its investments toward co-creating a new generation of wind energy equipment, Petrobras is acquiring knowledge that can support the company in future projects, in addition to contributing to the diversification of the Brazilian energy matrix,' highlights Petrobras' Director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Renata Baruzzi.
For João Paulo Gualberto da Silva, CEO of WEG Energia, 'The development of the 7 MW wind turbine reflects our capacity for innovation and consolidates WEG's role as a leading player in the advancement of wind energy. This project, in addition to being a technological milestone, reinforces our commitment to solutions that promote energy efficiency and sustainability.'
The modernization of the Brotas de Macaúbas Complex will bring significant gains in efficiency and productivity, taking advantage of the region's excellent wind conditions. This will allow the project to continue supplying thousands of homes with clean energy, maintaining its relevance in the Brazilian wind power landscape.
'Statkraft's partnership with WEG and Petrobras to build the largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas not only reaffirms our commitment to innovation and operational efficiency, but also contributes to a cleaner energy matrix and sets a new standard for the Brazilian electricity sector,' said Thiago Tomazzoli, CEO of Statkraft.
One of the advantages of the new wind turbine is the reduction in energy costs. With this capacity, it produces more electricity per unit of occupied area, reducing the need for multiple wind turbines. This also optimizes land use and tends to reduce overall installation and maintenance costs.
Partnerships
The agreement between Petrobras and WEG, signed in 2023, included the development of technologies for manufacturing wind turbine components tailored to Brazil's wind conditions, as well as the construction and testing of a prototype, with technical and commercial compensation for Petrobras. Statkraft became a WEG customer and acquired the wind turbine, which was installed at the Seabra Wind Farm, in the Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex, in the municipality of the same name, Bahia. The equipment, which completed commissioning in July, stands 220 meters tall from the ground to the tip of the blade, equivalent to the height of six Christ the Redeemer statues, and weighs 1,830 tons, equivalent to approximately 1,660 passenger cars or 44 Boeing 737s. WEG anticipates that it will be able to be mass-produced based on market demand for new wind projects.
Source: Petrobras
