Honda begins construction of the first wind farm by an automaker in Brazil
30 October 2013
Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda. (Honda Energy), Honda’s wind power generation business subsidiary in Brazil, has started construction of a new wind farm in the city of Xangri-lá in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil (approximately 1,000 km south of Honda’s current automobile production plant in Sumaré, São Paulo). Honda Energy plans to begin the operation of its new wind farm in September 2014.
Aiming to be more proactive in using renewable energy to minimize the environmental footprint of its business activities, Honda will be the first automaker in Brazil to start wind power generation business. The total investment for this wind power generation business is expected to be approximately 100 million Brazilian reais (US$46 million).
Honda Energy’s wind farm will be equipped with nine 3MW wind power turbine units (combined max. output 27 MW), and it is expected to generate approximately 95,000 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to Honda’s current annual electricity needed for automobile production in Brazil (approximately 140,000 units).
By generating renewable energy to cover the electricity needed for the plant, Honda is expecting to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 2,200 t annually.
Excellent example that other vehicle builder could follow.
It would be a good idea that all vehicle manufacturers be called upon to produce clean alternative energy at the same rate as their electrified units use for initial production and ongoing operation.
Those manufacturers should get $100 for every tonne of CO2 avoided.
That program could be budget neutral by charging $xx/tonne for Co2 produced to produce and operate ICE units.
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 October 2013 at 07:33 AM
$46M USD for 27 MW = 1,700 per kW. Assuming capacity factor of 35%, then 3000 kWh/kW/yr x 20 yrs = 60,000 kWh. Dividing this by the $1,7000/kW = $0.0283/kWh or 2.83 cents/kWh of amortized cost. This is perhaps why wind electricity now sells for 4-5 cents/kWh, which include profit and maintenance cost over 20 yrs time. This kinda gives support to Bob Wallace's data on the cost of wind electricity.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 04 November 2013 at 06:47 AM