Brazilian govt to hold alternative energy auction in August

Brazilian govt to hold alternative energy auction in August

Aug 23 - Investnews; Sao Paulo

The Brazilian government will hold on August 25 and 26 an auction for the supply of 11,000 megawatts from alternative energy sources (wind, biomass and small hydroelectric power plants (PCHs)), as of 2011. According to Mauricio Tolmasquim, the president of the Brazilian Energy Research Corporation (EPE), "alternative energy sources are an excellent complement to the hydroelectric system. Stronger winds form the Northeast and the Southeastern sugar cane crop happen exactly at the time of the year when the level of water reservoirs is lower'.

Brazil has an estimated wind energy potential of 140,000 megawatts, which corresponds to ten Itaipu hydroelectric power plants (Itaipu is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world), but we can reach double that amount, he added. "We have measured wind energy potential on 50- meter high towers and currently there are air generators up to 120 meters high, where winds are stronger and more frequent".

Tomalsquim estimates that Brazil has a biomass potential of 10,000 megawatts, which should grow over the next five years after the Brazilian sugar cane crop becomes fully mechanized. "The end to sugar cane crop burning will increase production potential, because the leaves and other parts of the plans that are currently burned will be used as well", he added. This information was published by Agencia Brasil.

(Newsroom - Agencia IN)