MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Uruguay expands alternative energy capacity with a 50 MW wind turbine farm
The turbines should be fully operational in three years Uruguay continues to expand its alternative green energy capacity and the latest contract award will have 25 wind turbines which must be operational within a maximum period of three years. The wind power project of 50 MW will supply renewable energy to a population of 50,000 people.
UTE, Uruguay’s national electricity and transmission company announced Monday it had awarded Spain’s Abengoa the contract to construct, operate and maintain a 50 MW wind power plant for a 20 year period, which will be located in the village of Peralta in the Tacuarembó region, in the heartland of Uruguay.
The wind energy project will supply renewable energy to a population of 50,000 people, preventing the emission of 100,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
The wind farm, which will have 25 wind turbines, must be operational within a maximum period of three years, according to the deadlines in the UTE tender and award process.
Abengoa will operate the wind farm for a period of 20 years under a concession agreement, which will also determine a guaranteed fixed price per MWh of generated electricity.
The future 25 wind turbines with a 2 MW capacity each, are expected to generate enough energy to supply the demand from the Tacuarembó region in central Uruguay.
The village of Peralta has abundant wind that is relatively consistent throughout the year, without significant variations in speed, which will help the facility to perform well when it comes into operation.
Abengoa has been present in Uruguay since 1980 and has carried out numerous projects for UTE since then. This latest contract is a reflection of the trust placed in Abengoa over the course of thirty years, said the company in an official release.
The company’s most important projects in Uruguay include the expansion and remodelling of the drinking water treatment plant in Aguas Corrientes and the electricity transmission line from Montevideo to San Carlos.
Abengoa (MCE: ABG) describes itself as an international company that applies innovative technology solutions to sustainable development in the energy and environment sectors, generating electricity from the sun, producing bio-fuels, desalinating sea water and recycling industrial waste.
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Read all comments“The wind energy project will supply renewable energy to a population of 50,000 people, preventing the emission of 100,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.”
Apr 12th, 2011 - 07:57 am 0This will be the projected capacity. The world over, they never seem to exceed 25% of stated capacity. As for saving CO2 emissions, they will still have to have conventional back-up, which in many countries is still coal. What benefit in any case is there to the world by “saving” that theoretical CO2 figure? The CO2-global warming theory is blown.
Perhaps 2-3% of national domestic electricity generation requirements, but at least it is a statement of support for the alternative energy movement.
Apr 12th, 2011 - 10:20 pm 0However, a (typical) 30% efficiency might drop this to 1/100th of the domestic need.
But you have to start somewhere.
Build cost will be incorporated in the Total Energy Cost break-even calculation (undeclared), but it would be good to know how many years it has to be working at (eg.) 30% efficiency before it starts to produce nett energy.
DennisA, not sure where you live but here in the Falklands they do work! Ours provide up to 40% of total electric power needs and overall over 25% over the year. That saves the consumer about £0-08-8pence - per unit and thousands of gallons of diesel per annum.
Apr 14th, 2011 - 12:07 pm 0Their efficiency depends a lot on the climate- ours is windy and they work. A lot in UK for instance do not get enough wind for long enough to make them properly efficient.
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