Wind energy is one of the most competitive and used to achieve the goals established for renewable energies.
In 2009 Portugal had wind capacity of 3,455MW of installed power at wind farms. (In late 2010 Portugal will have 5 100 MW of power in wind farms.)
The aim of the new National Energy Strategy is to achieve 8,500MW by 2020.
The wind farm of Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, with 240 MW was the biggest onshore wind farm in Europe in November 2008.
WIND ENERGY
Wind Energy uses the kinetic energy contained in the wind, obtained by the movement of air masses as a consequence of differences in atmospheric pressure for the production of electrical energy.
This renewable energy is produced by way of an aerogenerator which mechanically captures the kinetic energy of the wind which is subsequently transformed in a generator into electrical energy and injected into the electrical or transport distribution network.
Portugal has one of the highest growth rates in wind production in the world and has over two hundred wind farms with over 2,000 aerogenerators in operation. In late 2009 the total wind power installed and connected to the electrical network stood at 3,455 MW. The objective set for 2010 is to attain 5,100 MW of installed power and 8,500 MW in 2020.
The whole Portuguese coast has excellent conditions for the operation of Wind Energy on the ocean, offshore wind farms. However, there are some limitations owing to the currents in deep waters. The innovative design of the WindFloat wind farms and their manufacture in Portugal will allow the operation of this renewable resource at places which were previously inaccessible.
A WIND NETWORK
WORLDWIDE An important world network of wind farms in Europe, in the USA and Brazil is managed by a Portuguese company (EDP Renováveis). The installed capacity exceeds 5.8 GW in 2010 and has the goal for 2012 to achieve 10,8 GW. From one sole point, the Telecontrol and Clearance centre of Oporto the wind farms of this network are controlled, wherever they are located.