Wind Energy

Abstract

This chapter shows that wind energy is an established technology for producing low cost electricity in Africa and Latin America. However, these regions contribute less than 5% of the total global wind production and have no offshore production installed or planned. In Latin America wind resources are being developed in 12 nations and in a few countries it has become a significant contributor to total power production. As importantly, the manufacturing of wind turbine blades, towers, and balance of plant components has become a key contributor to local economies in some Latin American countries and is contributing to a nascent industry throughout the region. Future expansion of wind resources in both regions will likely require significant investments in transmission as the best wind resources are located distant from existing urban demand centers. Also, the usually strong public support in both regions should be accompanied with a defined strategy to avoid a growing resistance in some communities opposing large-scale wind production. Sharing benefits from wind energy with the local communities and avoiding environmental damages are the best recipes to increase wind energy in Africa and Latin America.