The Monte Redondo plant will be operational in October 2009. The project will reduce CO2 emissions, enabling it to register for carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM).
The wind farm is yet another step towards the diversification of GDF Suez’s energy portfolio in Chile, helping to stabilize energy prices by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
On February 13, 2009 Tractebel Energia, GDF Suez’s Brazilian subsidiary, will inaugurate the Pedra do Sal wind power plant in the State of Piaui, in the northeast of Brazil. The plant will produce 18 MW and will ensure improved quality of electricity supply in the region.
In Brazil, GDF Suez is currently also constructing 2 big hydro plants, Estreito (1,087 MW) and Jirau (3,300 MW) and has recently inaugurated Sao Salvador (241 MW). The company’s investments for alternative energy in the country also include the Areia Branca small hydro-electric plant (19.8 MW) (start-up expected May 2009), and the Beberibe wind farm (25.6 MW) which has been operational since September 2008. These projects are part of the Incentive Programs for Alternative Electric Energy Sources (Proinfa) in Brazil. Since September last year, Tractebel Energia is also building a new biomass plant, the 33 MW Andrade project, fuelled by sugar cane biomass. Of the total energy produced by Tractebel Energia, 85% now comes from renewable energy sources such as hydro-electricity, wind and biomass.
