The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved funding for the construction of 26 wind farms, all in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, totaling R$ 1.8 billion, directed to four distinct projects. The enterprise will total an installed capacity of 628.8 megawatts and will demand total investments of R$ 2.6 billion.

With such new financing, the total resources approved this year for wind farms reaches R$ 3.3 billion, the largest amount ever approved by BNDES and is 275% higher than the approvals granted along 2010, which totaled R$ 1.2 billion.

Among the merits of the projects supported by the Bank is the diversification of the Brazilian energy matrix with a renewable source, without hydrological risk, in addition to environmental benefits. The wind farms will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by MW/hour of electricity generated in the interconnected system. The projects also have a potential for generating carbon credits.

The project will also have a positive impact on the region, making it more dynamic, since it should increase the collection of taxes. Additionally, it is expected to diversify the economic activities of those areas.