Alto Minho Wind Farm
Encyclopedia
The Alto Minho Wind Farm in the Viana do Castelo district, of Portugal, became fully operational in November, 2008, when Portugal's Economy Minister Manuel Pinho inaugurated it. At the time of completion, it was Europe's largest on-shore wind farm. The wind farm began generating electricity in 2007, with production increasing as more wind turbines came online, reflecting the modular nature of wind farm
s. The wind farm consists of 68 Enercon
E-82 2MW wind turbines and 52 Enercon E-70 E4 2MW turbines, totaling 136 MW and 104 MW, respectively, for a grand total of 240 MW of nameplate capacity
. The wind farm will produce 530 GWh annually, avoiding 370000 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions.
In March 2007, there had been a total of 1,874 MW of wind power
capacity installed in Portugal, with another 908 MW under construction.
At the end of 2008, the total reached 2862MW installed (see: Renewable energy in the European Union
).
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
s. The wind farm consists of 68 Enercon
Enercon
Enercon GmbH, based in Aurich, Germany, is the fourth-largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world and has been the market leader in Germany since the mid-nineties. Enercon has production facilities in Germany , Sweden, Brazil, India, Canada, Turkey and Portugal...
E-82 2MW wind turbines and 52 Enercon E-70 E4 2MW turbines, totaling 136 MW and 104 MW, respectively, for a grand total of 240 MW of nameplate capacity
Nameplate capacity
Nameplate capacity, also known as the rated capacity, nominal capacity, installed capacity or maximum effect, refers to the intended technical full–load sustained output of a facility such as a power plant, a chemical plant, fuel plant, metal refinery, mine, and many others.For dispatchable power,...
. The wind farm will produce 530 GWh annually, avoiding 370000 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions.
In March 2007, there had been a total of 1,874 MW of wind power
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
capacity installed in Portugal, with another 908 MW under construction.
At the end of 2008, the total reached 2862MW installed (see: Renewable energy in the European Union
Renewable energy in the European Union
The countries of the European Union are currently the number two global leaders in the development and application of renewable energy. Promoting the use of renewable energy sources is important both to the reduction of the EU's dependence on foreign energy imports, and in meeting targets to combat...
).
See also
- Renewable energy in PortugalRenewable energy in PortugalRenewable energy in Portugal was the source for 52% of the country's electricity generation in 2010 - an increase of 28% in 5 years.In 2001, the Portuguese government launched a new energy policy instrument – the E4 Programme , consisting of a set of multiple, diversified measures aimed at...
- Wind power in PortugalWind power in PortugalIn December 2010, there was 3,937 MW of wind power nameplate capacity installed in Portugal. The major wind turbine manufacturers in the Portuguese market are Enercon, Vestas and Gamesa...