Astonishing number of transformers needed for Brazil’s offshore wind farms
Brazil awaits the consideration by the Federal Senate of Bill 11247/2018, which regulates the use of the potential of offshore wind energy.
by Roberto da Silva
Image for illustration purposes.
Brazil, Brasilia: Brazil awaits the consideration by the Federal Senate of Bill 11247/2018, which regulates the use of the potential of offshore wind energy. Meanwhile, by April 4, 2024, 97 environmental licensing processes had been opened at IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis), the national institute of environment, for offshore wind farms that aim to add 234 GW of electricity generation capacity in the coming decades. Offshore wind farms have greater generation capacity than onshore wind farms.
The average installed capacity of offshore wind farms planned for Brazil is 2400 MW, the largest of which is 6500 MW. For comparison purposes, the largest onshore wind farm in operation in Brazil today has an installed capacity of 716 MW. When evaluating the equipment, 15500 wind turbines are planned. When focusing on the power transformers that will be installed in offshore collector substations and adopting the premise of an average power of 300 MVA per equipment, 781 units will be required! This is another example of how these transformers are essential to the expansion of the Brazilian electrical sector and how manufacturers need to prepare for this demand for equipment with special designs for this application!
