Wellington visits billion-dollar wind farm complex in Lagoa do Barro.
Governor Wellington Dias participated in a technical visit to the Lagoa do Barro Wind Farm Complex; the project is a pioneering initiative of Atlantic, which partners with the global leader in renewable energy, Acciona. The Lagoa do Barro Wind Farm Complex will consist of eight wind farms with a capacity of 195 megawatts, distributed among 65 wind turbines, each 120 meters tall and with 3 megawatts of power; in the first phase of the project, the investment will reach US$ 1,2 billion; "Energy generation is a necessity for development. You won't find any place in the world that has managed to develop without having a solution for energy."
By Marina Ribeiro
Governor Wellington Dias participated, at the end of the morning of this Thursday (28), in a technical visit to the Lagoa do Barro Wind Complex. The project is a pioneering initiative of Atlantic, which has as a partner the global leader in renewable energies, Acciona. The Lagoa do Barro Wind Complex will consist of eight wind farms that will have a capacity of 195 megawatts, distributed in 65 wind turbines, each with 120 meters and 3 megawatts of power.
Governor Wellington Dias emphasized the importance of installing the Complex for the economic development of Lagoa do Barro and the state as a whole. "Energy generation is a necessity for development. You won't find any place in the world that has managed to develop without having a solution for energy. Piauí already produces hydroelectric, wind, solar, and thermoelectric energy, and we already produce what the people of Piauí consume, in addition to already exporting energy," he highlighted. "What was a problem in the past, sun and wind, is now a source of wealth. In addition to the factory, energy generation projects will be implemented. We already have many studies in the region from various companies, which foresees more investments. It's a historic phase for Piauí," he added.
In the first phase of the project, the investment will reach US$1,2 billion. The president of Atlantic Energias Renováveis, José Roberto de Moraes, spoke about the impact of the facilities on the region's economy. “The benefit of installing this complex for the region will be fantastic. For example, during the implementation phase, the number of jobs generated will reach almost a thousand in manufacturing. Furthermore, it will leave a legacy of expertise for the region. Vocational schools can follow in the footsteps of renewable energy, because the Atlantic park will certainly not be the only one in this region,” he stated.
According to the Secretary of Mining, Luiz Coelho, this is an opportunity to raise the HDI (Human Development Index) of the region. "What we are seeing here is a side of Piauí that few people know; it's an investment in renewable energy where we will have tower production very close to the wind farms. Look at the economic impact it will generate, in addition to the number of jobs offered in the region, which is quite arid and has a very low HDI. This will improve the quality of life for people in this region. We are seeing an opportunity for growth for the city and also for our state," he declared.
The mayor of Lagoa do Barro, Gilson Nunes, compares the project to a blessing from God. “An investment of this magnitude has arrived in our municipality, located in the semi-arid region of Piauí. Ten years ago, nobody believed in our potential, and today Lagoa do Barro is experiencing development with the confirmation of job opportunities for this great project. I am grateful to God and to nature for this raw material,” he said.