Ventos de Santo Onofre III Wind Farm | Onshore Wind in Brazil

Ventos de Santo Onofre III is an onshore wind farm located in Brazil, specifically in the state of Pernambuco near the coordinates -7.555000, -40.725700. The facility is operational and has a capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), placing it in the small-to-medium scale for wind energy projects in Brazil. It is part of the Ventos de Santo Onofre complex, which includes multiple phases. The wind farm utilizes wind turbines to generate electricity, though specific turbine models are not detailed. Brazil has a robust regulatory framework for renewable energy, including the PROINFA program (Programa de Incentivo às Fontes Alternativas de Energia Elétrica) and auctions for wind energy contracts. The country is a global leader in wind power, with over 20 GW of installed capacity, and projects like this benefit from favorable wind conditions in the northeast region. Environmentally, the wind farm contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. It also supports local energy security and economic development in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco. The facility's grid connection helps integrate renewable energy into Brazil's national grid, which is largely hydroelectric but increasingly diversified with wind and solar.

The wind farm is located in the semi-arid Caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil, an area with high wind speeds ideal for wind energy. The region faces challenges such as drought and land degradation, and wind farms like this help diversify energy sources without water consumption. Potential environmental impacts include bird and bat collisions, visual landscape changes, and land use competition, though these are managed through environmental licensing and mitigation measures.