Assessing the potential of wind energy generation into the Santa Catarina grid network in Brazil

Electricity supply in Brazil is now dominated by hydro power plants (∼90% of the generation capacity) and suffers from instability of supply due to shortages in the hydro resource. In addition, problems due to the limitations in the capacity of the transmission and distribution network occur. Therefore the utility companies in Brazil are being forced to broaden the base of their electricity generation capacity and to implement power generation units located close to the consumption. In particular Celesc, the regional utility company in the State of Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil, is considering the introduction of wind power in its area. Celesc presently bases its supply on generation from of its own small hydro plants, from a few power stations of independent producers and mainly, from the purchase of electricity on the national market. The first 600 kW wind turbine was commissioned in April 2002 and a total installed capacity of about 12 MW of wind power is foreseen in the coming years. To support these activities, the first assessment of the regional wind power potential and its load carrying capability is in progress.