Sao Paulo, April 17 (IANS/EFE) Brazil's wind-power generating capacity soared 73 percent in 2012 to 2.5 GW, thanks to the commencement of operations at 40 new wind farms, the Brazilian Wind Energy Association said.
Wind farms provided electricity to about 7.5 million people, or a population larger than that of Rio de Janeiro, the industry group said in a report.
Wind-power investment totaled 3.5 billion reais (about $1.77 billion) last year, with 15,000 direct and indirect jobs being created, the association said.
Average monthly power production reached 556 MW in 2012, with peak output of 771 MW registered in October, marking a new record, the trade group said.
Installed wind generation capacity is expected to grow around 141 percent this year to 6 GW, the association said.
Investment in Brazil's wind power industry is projected to total about $10 billion between 2013 and 2017, the trade group said.
Brazil avoided emitting 1.2 million tonnes of CO2, the gas believed to cause global warming, last year, thanks to the wind farms, the association said.
The South American country's new wind farms use more powerful turbines and towers that are up to 100 meters tall, the trade group said.
--IANS/EFE
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