Photo: José Lins – FURNAS
The issue of climate change is now a strategic issue for Brazilian companies operating in the electricity sector. The acceleration of climate change processes directly affects natural resources, which are the raw material for generating electricity. With the ratification of the Paris Agreement, an international initiative, Brazil has committed to “expanding the domestic use of non-fossil energy sources, increasing the share of renewable energy (in addition to hydropower) in the supply of electricity to at least 23% by 2030, including by increasing the share of wind, biomass and solar energy”. Investments in alternative energy, especially wind energy, are a good way to achieve these goals.
In 2009, Brazil held its first Reserve Energy Auction (LER/2009), aimed exclusively at wind power projects, with the aim of diversifying its energy matrix. In addition to encouraging the development of renewable sources, the initiative paved the way for the establishment of the wind turbine and component industry in the country.
In light of this scenario, FURNAS invested in the diversification of clean and renewable energy sources, which present a good risk-return ratio and contribute to the company's sustainable growth. Between 2011 and 2015, the process gained more space at FURNAS, especially in the wind segment. The company included wind energy in its portfolio, with the start of operations of its first three wind farms in the Northeast of the country. The Rei dos Ventos 1, Rei dos Ventos 3 and Miassaba 3 wind farms are installed in Rio Grande do Norte, totaling 112 wind turbines and a total capacity of 187 MW.
Throughout a trajectory marked by pioneering spirit and expertise in the Brazilian electricity sector, the company reaffirms its commitment to the production of clean and renewable energy, based on the diversification of generation sources, especially in the wind segment. In partnership with other companies, it has 43 more parks in the planning and/or construction phase. These generating plants will add more than 1,000 MW of installed capacity to the FURNAS generating park.
It is worth noting that the commitment to diversifying clean and renewable energy sources is not restricted to the wind sector. Believing in the potential of solar energy sources in Brazil, FURNAS is also developing a Research and Development project called JAÍBA SOLAR. The main product is a photovoltaic solar plant, which uses two technologies, traditional photovoltaic and concentrating photovoltaic (Concentrated Photovoltaics – CPV).
