Equinor, through its subsidiary Rio Energy, has acquired the 230 MW Esquina do Vento wind project from wind energy specialist Vestas and signed a turbine supply agreement with Vestas for the project, which is located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeast of Brazil.
Vestas will supply 51 V163-4.5 MW turbines to the project. Installation of the turbines is expected to begin in March 2027, and all turbines are to be installed by end of 2027. In addition to supplying and installing the turbines, Vestas will also be responsible for operation and maintenance services for 30 years under an Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.
This agreement represents the first collaboration between Equinor/Rio Energy and Vestas in Brazil. It also marks an important step in the ongoing recovery of large-scale wind investments in Brazil and reinforces Vestas’ long-term role as a full-cycle partner to the country’s energy transition – delivering high-performance technology, robust project execution and world-class service to customers across the region.
“We look forward to working together with Vestas on the Esquina do Vento wind project – an important milestone for Rio Energy and our continued commitment to Brazil’s renewable energy market” said Rio Energy CEO, Roberto Colindres. “Despite current challenges, we believe onshore wind has tremendous potential to deliver reliable, clean, affordable power and create lasting value for communities and customers across Brazil.”
Once operational, the 230 MW Esquina do Vento wind project is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 520,000 homes in Brazil. Beyond contributing to the country’s clean energy matrix and energy security, the project is expected to contribute to local value creation.
“The Esquina do Vento wind project sends a clear signal of confidence in Brazil’s wind market and marks another step in the sector’s recovery” added Eduardo Ricotta, CEO Vestas Latin America. “We are honoured that Equinor and Rio Energy have chosen to rely on Vestas’ technology and execution capabilities for this project. As one of the most strategic markets for Vestas globally, Brazil continues to demonstrate its long-term potential for competitive, large-scale renewable investments. With Esquina do Vento, we reaffirm our commitment to driving this momentum forward and delivering the performance, reliability, and partnership our customers expect from Vestas.”
Esquina do Vento also represents a significant milestone for Vestas Development – the business unit of Vestas Group created in 2020 to expand the availability of high quality, fully developed wind projects in strategic markets.
Over more than five years, the unit has been building and maturing its Brazilian portfolio. At the end of 2025, Vestas Development managed a project pipeline of 28 GW globally and operates across a limited number of selected countries, with Brazil playing an essential role in this global footprint.
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Nguồn: https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/wind/equinor-and-rio-energy-order-vestas-turbines-20260323