EDP. Mexia want to keep “the qualitative podium” in the world rankings Wind
EDPR reaches target rotation assets ahead of schedule in the United States.
First stop, Rising Tree Wind Farm. In an area of 3500 acres, in the US state of California, EDPR installed 60 next-generation turbines, each worth four million dollars. The wind is felt, enough to chill the body, fill the water eyes and ears feel the buzz for a long time, it’s nothing. “It’s a windy day,” says responsible for building the park, Jim Schroeder. The wind blows at 41km / h, probably twice the speed at the top of each of the turbines to 112 meters. Jim works in wind energy for over 30 years. When he started working, the turbines produce 100 kWh of energy. Currently they have 33 times more power, and it is with a smile that the officer explains how it looks to the constant technological development of the sector: “Whenever I look at a new turbine, I think following that will come further.”
Renewable energies are increasingly present in the US, and EDP Renováveis appears as one of the leading companies. “We were the ones we represent the [energy] renewable at the White House when President Obama wanted to discuss the issue of energy in the country,” recalls the i António Mexia. Between the visit to Rising Tree Wind Farm and the Lone Valley Solar Park, about 300 kilometers away, President of EDP also noted that the company has a competitive advantage. “We started early.”
No fear of acting in a highly competitive market – “we have no problem with the level of demand” – Mexia also reminds the current studies have pointed out that “the wind and the solar” are “the number one choice to respond looking for “the next few years.”
“The United States as other countries in Europe, such as England, was heavily dependent on coal, and the old coal. Ie plants that are completely out of life and are incompatible with the rules. And the investment for the change no longer makes sense, “further explained the official. “The vision of the EDP and my is that coal is not a solution. In terms of economics, no longer essentially address the reduction of emissions, “he concluded.
The wind now lower because I descend the slopes where the turbines are installed, continues to blow and to understand why the Mojave Desert is one of the most interesting places to be when wind speaks. But where there is wind there are also sun, and the Lone Valley Solar Park, the first EDP solar park R in the US, is currently already up and running.
On the other side of the mountains line up almost perfectly 120,000 solar panels, based on six thousand “tables”. The sun is not shining as usual, but “98% of the days it is not so,” notes one of the leaders of the company. “Estimated – that renewable representing between 2015 and 2020, about 50% of the installed capacity in the US. After represent, making this account [head], which should represent around a third, “he noted Mexia to i, being still little concerned with the development of shale gas or shale gas, one of the big bets US in recent years.
The country also intends through this type of resource, become energy self-sufficient by 2035. The price of this raw material have been, however, be penalized by oil price fluctuations, especially because technology required for this type of gas extraction is significantly costly. However, the president of EDP believes that in terms of economic fundamentals, the current price of shale gas “is not far from the present.” And he believes that “the US will from there turn out to be energy exporters: there will be other environmental issues that could change the debate in the future, but in terms of economics, the price to enable the use of shale gas is near” .
The investment in this park was of 90 million euros, but in eight years EDP R account have already achieved the return of every penny. Production of the day was even reasonably clean with no sunlight for 12 hours. In a few hours, so the sun sets, the automation will signal so that the panels collect and are protected from the weather that may endanger. As for the place that the company currently occupies overall – the third in terms of wind energy production, Mexia is clear: “We are interested in the qualitative podium.” Up in this ranking is not, for now, the plans
The journalist traveled at the invitation of EDP
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