Brazil Will Boost Wind Energy as Drought Undermines Hydro

Brazil, the second-largest hydroelectric generator in the world, will expand the use of wind energy over the next ten years as the worst drought in decades raises concerns over the stability of hydro power.

By 2023, Brazil will have the capacity to generate 22.4 gigawatts of wind power, the government’s Energy Research Agency said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. To reach that target, Brazil plans to buy 17 gigawatts of wind power over the next decade. Wind will supply 11.5 percent of the country’s power, up from 3 percent now, while hydro power’s share will fall to 59.7 percent from 66.9 percent.