In recent years, renewable energy has become a popular topic, and more and more countries are turning to clean energy sources like wind power to reduce their carbon footprint. The Progreso Wind Farm in Yucatan, Mexico, is a great example of this trend.
Located about 20 kilometers east of the city of Progreso, the wind farm consists of 50 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 2.5 megawatts. The project was developed by EnerAB, a joint venture between Acciona Energía and BioFields, and began operating in August 2020.
The Progreso Wind Farm covers an area of approximately 2,300 hectares and generates around 360 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the energy consumed by around 70,000 households. The electricity generated by the wind farm is fed into the grid and sold to the Mexican Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) under a long-term power purchase agreement.
One of the benefits of the Progreso Wind Farm is that it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to EnerAB, the wind farm will avoid the emission of around 190,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to taking around 40,000 cars off the road.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the Progreso Wind Farm has created jobs in the local community. During the construction phase, the project employed around 500 people, and now that it’s operational, it employs around 20 full-time staff members. The wind farm has also brought economic benefits to the region, as EnerAB pays rent to local landowners for the use of their land.
The Progreso Wind Farm has not been without its challenges, however. One of the biggest issues has been the impact on local wildlife, particularly birds and bats. To mitigate this impact, EnerAB conducted an environmental impact study before starting construction and implemented a number of measures to minimize harm to wildlife. These measures include adjusting the height and position of the turbines, monitoring bird and bat activity, and shutting down the turbines during periods of high bird and bat activity.
Despite these challenges, the Progreso Wind Farm has been a success story for renewable energy in Mexico. The project is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and bring economic benefits to the region, all while harnessing the power of the wind to generate clean energy. As more and more countries look to transition to renewable energy sources, projects like the Progreso Wind Farm will likely serve as models for future developments.
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