TheRioTimes: "Brazil's first offshore wind license opens door to new energy era." Announced just several days ago, Brazil’s environmental agency, Ibama, has given its first-ever approval for an offshore wind power project. This is construed as a test site for wind turbines in the ocean near Areia Branca, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. "The project, called Sítio de Testes de Aerogeradores Offshore, will have a capacity of up to 24.5 megawatts." Now this sounds like small potatos when the average wind turbine worldwide now rates at about 2.5MW. But think of the geographic potential. Brazil has the longest coastline in South America at 7,941 km or 4,934 miles, which is lots of space for wind power. Ibama is requiring a strict 'Environmental Management Plan, including 13 programs, such as monitoring wildlife, controlling noise, sharing information with the community, and training workers.' Until now, "the country has focused on hydropower and onshore wind, but this should be the start of a new era. If you love wind the way I do, it's time to dance the samba, la la la.
