By Kari Williamson

The Brazilian Government's efforts to tap into wind power are bearing fruit, but a long-term policy framework is required to sustain investment in the wind power sector, according to the report, Analysis of the regulatory framework for wind power generation in Brazil’, from GWEC and the Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEólica) with support from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

Brazil currently has 1120 MW of installed wind power capacity across 55 wind farms, mostly located in the eastern coastal states of the country.

Several energy auctions held since 2009 have added 5175 MW of wind power projects contracted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which would bring to country’s wind power installations up to more than 7.2 GW by 2014 and attract more than US$12 billion in investment, GWEC says.

“The current pipeline for wind power projects looks very healthy,” comments Ricardo Simões, President of ABEEólica.

“International experience has shown that long-term investor certainty is key for developing and sustaining a market for wind power,” adds Ramon Fiestas, Director of GWEC’s Latin American Committee and author of the study.

”The positive outcome of the auctions and the competitiveness of wind power need to be reflected in Brazil’s future electricity planning. This clearly justifies a more determined approach by the government to set ambitious long-term targets for wind power development, specific policy measures and infrastructure investments, to ensure a sustainable growth of the industry and its supply chain.”