Voltalia completes construction of its 2 GW transmission line In Brasil

Voltalia has reached physical completion of a transmission line of 2 GW for its Serra Branca cluster of wind projects located in NorthEast Brazil, multiplying by six the cluster’s power evacuation capacity. Fast track development and construction of the new line will allow Voltalia’s VSM 1&2 wind farms (291 MW in total) to begin operations ahead of Voltalia’s initial forecasts.

Voltalia’s new transmission facility in the Serra Branca cluster has reached physical completion. It will be connected to the grid shortly.

The new line is capable of servicing wind farms with a total capacity of 2 GW. The line is one of the Continent’s largest construction projects in term of capacity. 52-kilometer long and sustained by 112 towers, the line is designed for a very high voltage of 500 kV.

Voltalia began developing the line in 2016, progressively securing rights of way over 63 pieces of land with 57 different owners, building permits, interconnection rights and other authorizations.

Construction works started early 2019, with Voltalia partnering with Seta Engenharia S.A for the line and WEG for the substation.

Located in North-East Brazil in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, the Serra Branca cluster began to be developed by Voltalia in 2008. Voltalia progressively secured land rights, permits, rights to connect to the power grid and power sale contracts for a series of projects. The Serra Branca cluster expands over a zone of approximately 15 by 50 kilometers, located in one of the windiest spots in the world.