Brazilian development bank, BNDES, approved credit of R$ 1.8 bn for the construction of 26 wind farms in the State of Rio Grande do Norte at teh end of 2011. The 26 projects, which have the potential to generate carbon credits, will have installed capacity of 628.8 MW and will involve total investment of R$ 2.6 bn. They are all located in areas with low economic and social development - and are expected to have a positive impact on the respective regions by boosting tax revenues and diversifing economic activities.

The Rio Grande do Norte projects included:

União dos Ventos:

Ten farms in the municipalities of Pedra Grande and São Miguel with installed capacity of 169.6 MW and associated transmission system (BNDES financing of R$ 557.1 m; total investment of R$ 754.6 m). The farms will be managed by ten special purpose companies (each contracted individually to supply energy to Cemig for 20 years) controlled by the Soares Penido Group (which includes Ventos Potiguares and Serveng Energias Renováveis).

Asa Branca:

Five farms in the municipalities of João Câmara, Jandaíra, and Parazinho (the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte) with installed capacity of 160 MW (BNDES support of R$ 453.1m). The farms will be managed by Contour Global, which will invest R$ 600 m and will create 800 direct and indirect jobs.

DESA Morro dos Ventos:

Seven farms with installed capacity of 205.2MW in the municipalities of João Câmara and Parazinho (BNDES backing of R$555m). The farms will be managed by DESA Eólicas S/A group  which will invest a total of R$ 818 m, creating 1,190 direct and indirect jobs.

São Bento Project:

Four projects managed by special purpose companies Olho D'água, São Bento do Norte, Lighthouse and Boa Vista, with combined capacity of 94MW (total funding of R$400m). The farms will be managed by four special purpose companies, Olho D'água, São Bento do Norte, Lighthouse and Boa Vista, created by Galvão Energia (Dreen).

BNDES confirmed that its total lending for wind power projects in Brazil up 275% in 2011 to R$3.3bn, compared to 2010's figure of R$1.2bn. Backing from BNDES is justified on the grounds that wind projects contribute to the diversification of the Brazilian energy grid; have environmental benefits (and no hydrological risk), including contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of energy generated in the grid.