Although not specified, an environmental impact assessment conducted in 2005 and audited by the firm Garrad Hassan and published on an official website suggests that the wind farm will have an installed capacity of 41.3 MW.
Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of nearly four million inhabitants, receives its electricity from conventional fossil fuel fired thermal power plants. Nevertheless, plans are in place to increase investments in plants powered by natural gas, wind and wave energy, as well as other types of alternative energy, although little progress has been made in this area.
Morales said the turbines will be erected in an area of 18 hectares of subtropical dry forest near the coastal town of Guayanilla in the southeast of the island. According to the official, although some environmental groups are opposing its construction because the wind farm could affect protected bird species, a balance has been struck between sustainable development and conservation of natural resources. He also said that most of the site will continue to be classified as a conservation area.
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