French renewables developer Voltalia has begun construction of a 59MW phase of its Serra Blanca renewables cluster in Brazil.
The Ventos Serra do Mel (VSM) 4 wind farm is expected to begin operation in the first half of 2021.
Nordex has been chosen to supply the 17 wind turbines to be installed at the VSM 4 site, each with a power rating of 3.46MW.
The selected AW132/3465 model is assembled locally in Brazil.
The Serra Branca cluster is the world’s biggest wind-and-solar complex, covering approximately 40,000 hectares.
The cluster has a 2.4GW grid connection, developed and built by Voltalia, servicing 800MW of wind plants, owned by Voltalia, in operation and construction, plus 300MW of solar projects, owned by Voltalia, with contracts already secured.
The cluster also comprises 700MW of wind plants sold to partners and 700MW of further potential to be sold to partners or held by Voltalia.
Voltalia chief executive Sebastien Clerc said: “Just a few weeks after commissioning VSM 1 (163MW), Voltalia’s biggest windfarm, and with VSM 2 (128MW) and VSM 3 (150MW) already under construction, I am pleased to announce the start of the construction of the VSM 4 (59MW) project in our Serra Branca cluster.
“This new wind plant in Brazil, backed by long-term power sales agreements, shows our full commitment to supporting private companies in their energy transition.
“I take this opportunity to thank all workers on our construction sites worldwide and their continuous mobilization despite the challenges created by the sanitary crisis.”
Serra Blanca includes 7MW of 20-year PPAs with local power distribution companies, starting 2023, plus 52MW with a private offtaker under a 10-year contract, starting 2022.