Venezuela to Install its First Wind Farm in Falcon State

The first wind farm in Venezuela is set to come up in Falcon state. According to the Governor of Falcon state, Stella Lugo, in June and July 2010, the towers of the 24 wind turbines of this wind farm will be installed. In its last phase, Paraguana wind farm will have 100 MW of capacity.

More than 70% of the electricity in Venezuela is generated through hydropower, and the wind energy plant is part of the country’s strategy to diversify its sources for power production. Some of the factors that accelerated the adoption of alternative sources of power production include El Nino weather phenomenon and heavy drought. Governor Lugo commented that wind measurement was taken in the Falcon state for over two years and the results indicated that the state has high potential for wind energy.

Paraguana Refining Center’s general manager, Jesus Luongo, said the 24 segmentation rings required to construct the foundation arrived last month. Luongo expected that by July, the towers of the wind turbines will be installed. Gamesa will be installing the wind farm. The company, through its subsidiary MADE, will be supplying 76 wind turbines to PDVSA amounting to approximately €116 million.