The 102 MW Cerro de Hula (CdH) facility started commercial operation in December 2011.
The project was implemented by Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy (GME) which is 70 percent owned by Globeleq and 30 percent owned by Mesoamerica Power, a group of Central American investors managed by Mesoamerica.
Globeleq is owned by Actis, the leading pan-emerging market private equity firm.
“Adding clean and renewable wind energy has reduced the country’s reliance on expensive fossil fuels for electricity generation," said Mikael Karlsson, Globeleq’s CEO. "The environmental and economic benefits are realised immediately, continuing to reinforce Globeleq’s commitment to sustainable development and lower greenhouse gas emissions”
Hosted by GME, the leading renewable energy company in Central America, together with its locally owned entity, Energía Eólica de Honduras, S.A. (EEHSA), the event was attended by the Honduran President Porfirio Lobo, embassy officials from the UK, US, Spain, Costa Rica and Guatemala, key government officials, executive management from international and local organisations involved in the project, contractors, employees and members of the local community in the project area.
CdH is in the final stages of its submission as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol which will enable it to earn carbon credits to sell into the international carbon trading markets. CdH will be the first of wind CDM project in Honduras.
Located 24 kms south of the capital, the wind farm supplies the national utility, Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE) through a 100 MW, 20 year power purchase agreement. CdH will produce more than 360 GWh/year - enough to supply power to 150,000 Honduran households using clean and renewable power.
The wind farm was constructed in less than one year and well within budget. "Despite significant logistical and geographical challenges, completion of CdH was due to incredible team work, dedication and commitment by all partners involved in the project,” said Jay Gallegos, Managing Director for Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy.
He added, "The successful commissioning of this project would not have been possible without the strong support and cooperation we've received from our contractors, the local communities, ENEE and key members of the government of Honduras.”
Using the technology and expertise of the Gamesa Wind US LLC and Iberdrola Ingenieria y Construcción Mexico consortium, crews erected 51 x Gamesa G87 2.0 MW turbines over a project area of 6,500 hectares.
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