ИСТИНА

Wind energy rapidly develops in Brazil. Electricity generation in one of its state, Rio Grande do Norte, by 30% consists of wind energy, while the total capacity of Brazilian wind farms is above 12 GW. At the same time Brazil meets several problems at the way of wind energy use development: inefficient energy production, power lines access, local conflicts in land use etc. Most problems are connected with wind farms locations. Assessment of the onshore wind energy development potential is presented. This assessment is based on analysis of universal geographical factors influencing wind energy potential. The assessment was done for two scale levels– country level (Brazil) and regional level (Rio Grande do Norte state). Current state of Brazilian wind energy use was assessed by a set of suggested methods, its perspectives were defined. Local issues of wind farm locations were characterized by regional assessment exemplified by the Brazilian leading state, Rio Grande do Norte. Current wind farm locations were analyzed, recommendations for their optimization were elaborated.