In March, SPIC Brasil celebrates 10 years of operation of the Vale dos Ventos wind farm, registering high availability indices for its 60 wind turbines. Located in Mataraca (PB), the development is among the oldest in operation in Brazil and has an installed capacity of 48 MegaWatts of renewable energy.

The energy produced is sufficient to supply about 92 thousand homes per year. In 2017, the generation produced by Vale dos Ventos was responsible for supplying 2.2% of all electricity consumption in the state of Paraíba. The complex is composed of 10 parks of 4.8 MW each, which coexist in harmony with the other productive activities of the region. Its production avoids the emission of more than 36,5 thousand tons of greenhouse gases polluting each year.

The great availability to operate, regardless of the force of the winds and even when compared to other plants of the same or even newer, is directly linked to the service of monitoring of maintenance and performance of the equipment. With a complex operating structure, the professionals carry out preventive maintenance in line with the reality of each equipment, consequently reducing interruptions by corrective maintenance. This saves time on staff and resources, improves material performance and life, and prevents situations that can cause accidents, including people.

"Over the years, we have had a lot of learning, such as challenges with underground wiring in medium voltage, the very development of maintenance plans and all this with the concern for people and the environment around wind farms, because the area has a highly preserved environment. We are happy to see that our learning curve has reached an apex in which we can generate the maximum of clean energy with excellence of operation, because, avoiding unplanned stops, our level of availability and reliability end up being greater than anticipated ", celebrates Leandro Alves, Director of Wind Energy Operations of SPIC Brasil.

According to the Brazilian Association of Wind Energy (Abeeólica), the wind energy matrix in Brazil represented 9% of generation in 2018, being the third most representative source. "The country registered a slow growth in wind energy in the first years of its implementation, but we have a great market to develop and I believe that we will still grow a lot with renewable energy in the coming years," Alves concludes.

Wind power 

In addition to the Vale dos Ventos Wind Complex, SPIC Brasil also operates the Millennium Wind Farm, located in Mataraca (PB). Inaugurated in 2007, it became SPIC Brazil's first renewable energy project. It has installed capacity of 10.2 MW, which is equivalent to the supply of 24 thousand homes, in addition to avoiding the emission of approximately 9.4 thousand tons of greenhouse gases each year. It has 13 wind turbines of 800 kW each and is favored by strong coastal winds. 

Always seeking to meet the best operating standards, Vale dos Ventos wind farms and Millennium have the certificates of the international standard ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 55001 and ISO 9001. And, more than that, ventures also contribute significantly with social benefits and economic benefits for the local community through a community fund that supports sustainability and social cohesion.