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Serra do Assuruá: Inside Latin America’s Largest Wind Complex in Bahia, Brazil

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The Serra do Assuruá Wind Complex in Bahia, Brazil, is the largest onshore wind development in ENGIE’s global portfolio and one of the flagship renewable energy projects of Latin America. Located in the municipality of Gentio do Ouro, the 846 MW complex reached full commercial operation in December 2025, marking the completion of one of the largest single-phase wind projects ever built by the ENGIE Group anywhere in the world.

A landmark wind project for Brazil

Developed entirely by Engie Brasil Energia, the complex comprises 188 wind turbines spread across 24 individual wind farms, for a total installed capacity of 846 MW. Construction began in March 2023, and the project entered commercial operation gradually: the first 15 generating units — about 8% of total capacity — came online in August 2024 following authorization from Brazil’s national electricity regulator, ANEEL, and the final units were commissioned in December 2025 to bring the complex to full output.

The energy generated is directed to Brazil’s Free Energy Market (Mercado Livre), a contractual framework that allows corporate consumers to buy electricity directly from producers and choose their preferred source of generation — enabling large buyers to secure renewable supply through bilateral contracts.

Project scope and grid connection

Beyond the turbines, the project includes 28 kilometers of transmission lines connecting the complex to Brazil’s National Interconnected System (SIN), ensuring the power can be distributed nationwide. Turbine supply was led by Vestas Wind Systems, which supplied 188 of its V150-4.5 MW turbines under a contract that began with 120 units for the project’s 540 MW first phase and an option, later exercised, for a further 68 units for the second phase.

The complex is the fourth ENGIE has built in Bahia, adding to the operational Umburanas, Campo Largo 1 and Campo Largo 2 wind complexes in the cities of Sento Sé and Umburanas, which together already exceed 1 GW of installed capacity.

Investment, jobs and community impact

The Serra do Assuruá complex represents an investment of around R$6 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion). During construction it generated roughly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, with ENGIE prioritising local hiring from Gentio do Ouro and neighbouring municipalities.

The company also invested about R$8.5 million (around US$1.6 million) in community development programs focused on social inclusion, environmental education, economic development and infrastructure, including dedicated support for rural, traditional and quilombola communities. A linked training initiative, the Bahia Qualification Program, offered 60 free places — half reserved for women — in masonry, reinforced-concrete structures and carpentry.

Brazil’s growing wind power sector

The project cements Bahia’s role as one of the pillars of Brazil’s wind energy expansion. Brazil is among the world’s largest wind power markets, and rising electricity demand — combined with climate variability affecting hydropower output — is accelerating the country’s diversification into wind and solar. That momentum continues to draw major international developers: Norwegian group Statkraft, for instance, recently took a final investment decision on the 280 MW Gran Sul wind project in Rio Grande do Sul, underscoring the scale of onshore wind investment flowing into the country. A recurring challenge, however, is coordinating fast-growing renewable generation in the resource-rich northeast with the transmission infrastructure needed to carry it to major demand centres, an issue ENGIE is addressing through projects such as its Asa Branca transmission network.

Serra do Assuruá Wind Complex Factsheet

Project: Serra do Assuruá Wind Complex

Location: Gentio do Ouro, Bahia, northeastern Brazil

Developer / Owner: Engie Brasil Energia

Installed capacity: 846 MW

Configuration: 188 wind turbines across 24 wind farms

Transmission: 28 km of lines connecting to the National Interconnected System (SIN)

Construction start: March 2023

First operations: August 2024 (initial 15 units, ~8% of capacity)

Full commercial operation: December 2025

Investment: Approximately R$6 billion (about US$1.2 billion)

Offtake: Brazil’s Free Energy Market (Mercado Livre)

Jobs: Around 3,000 direct and indirect during construction

Significance: ENGIE’s largest onshore wind complex worldwide; among the largest in Latin America

Status: Fully operational

Contractors and Key Parties

  • Developer / owner / operator: Engie Brasil Energia
  • Turbine supplier: Vestas Wind Systems — 188 V150-4.5 MW turbines, supplied with installation, operation and maintenance, plus a 25-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement
  • Financing: BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) — approved financing toward the complex, part of a wider BRL 10.6 billion renewables package it backed in the region
  • Turbine manufacture: Vestas units produced locally in Brazil under BNDES FINAME local-content rules

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