Renewable energy projects in Brazil solar and wind

Brazil has long been a renewable energy powerhouse, with its hydroelectric dams supplying the majority of the country’s electricity for decades. But a profound transformation is underway. As the government seeks to diversify the energy matrix and reduce dependence on hydroelectricity—vulnerable to climate-induced droughts—solar and wind power are emerging as the new pillars of Brazil’s clean energy future .

The numbers are staggering. In just the first two months of 2026, Brazil has seen the commissioning of ENGIE’s 753 MW Assú Sol complex, the activation of nine units at the 505 MW Draco solar complex, and a landmark 828 MW wind turbine order for the Dom Inocêncio complex . These projects represent not just gigawatts of capacity, but billions in investment, tens of thousands of jobs, and technological innovations that are pushing the boundaries of what renewable energy can achieve .

This guide explores the most significant solar and wind projects transforming Brazil’s energy landscape in 2026, the companies driving this revolution, and what it means for the country’s—and the world’s—energy transition.

Solar Power: Brazil’s Fastest-Growing Energy Source

Solar energy is exploding in Brazil, driven by abundant sunshine, falling technology costs, and supportive government policies. The Northeast region, with its high solar irradiation and vast available land, has become the epicenter of this growth.

ENGIE’s Assú Sol: A Global Milestone

In February 2026, French energy giant ENGIE achieved a significant milestone with the full commissioning of the Assú Sol photovoltaic complex in the state of Rio Grande do Norte . This massive project, comprising 16 individual solar plants, is now the largest operational solar project in ENGIE’s global portfolio .

Project Specifications:

• Location: Assú, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil
• Installed Capacity: 753 MW
• Total Investment: BRL 3.3 billion (approximately $640 million USD)
• Area: 2,344 hectares
• Solar Modules: More than 1.5 million
• Cabling: Approximately 12,000 kilometers
• Internal Access Roads: 53 kilometers

The scale of Assú Sol is difficult to comprehend. The complex generates enough electricity annually to power a city of 850,000 people—roughly the size of Brasília’s entire population . Construction, completed over a 30-month period, created more than 4,500 direct jobs and was delivered on time and on budget, a remarkable achievement for a project of this magnitude .

What sets Assú Sol apart is not just its size but its technological sophistication. ENGIE deployed advanced construction technologies rarely used at this scale in Brazil, including drone-based aerial mapping, automated graders integrated with 3D modeling systems, and—for the first time in Brazil—a dedicated automatic pile-driving machine designed specifically for solar installations . These innovations enabled more precise, faster, and safer execution while improving both industrial and environmental performance .

Community Impact:
ENGIE’s commitment extended beyond the construction site. In the Assú region, the company carried out several social initiatives including the construction of a school, a health center, multisport facilities, improvements in access to water, and the donation of agricultural equipment . This holistic approach to development reflects a growing recognition that renewable energy projects must benefit local communities, not just generate power for distant consumers.

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE Senior Executive Vice President in charge of Renewable and Flexible Power, captured the significance of the achievement: “Assú Sol demonstrates our ability to deliver large scale renewable projects with efficiency and industrial excellence. Commissioning our largest solar complex worldwide—on time, on budget, and in close collaboration with local communities—reflects the knowhow of our teams and the strength of our renewable strategy in Brazil and internationally” .

Draco Solar Complex: Powering Minas Gerais

While Assú Sol grabbed headlines, another significant solar project reached key milestones in early 2026. The Draco solar complex in Arinos, Minas Gerais, part of the federal government’s New Growth Acceleration Programme (Novo PAC), announced that nine of its 11 plants have commenced commercial operations .

Project Specifications:

• Location: Arinos, Minas Gerais
• Total Installed Capacity: 505 MW (11 plants)
• Investment: Over R$ 2.4 billion
• Homes Powered: More than 500,000
• Transmission: Connected via 500 kV line to Arinos 2 substation

The complex consists of 11 solar plants: Draco Solar plants 1 through 10 each have an installed capacity of 48 MW, while Draco Solar 11 adds 24 MW . All plants are covered under the Special Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development (REIDI), which provides tax benefits for infrastructure projects . Draco Solar 2 and 3 are scheduled to begin commercial operations in April 2026, completing the complex .

Other Notable Solar Developments

December 2025 saw the full commercial operation of the Novo Oriente photovoltaic complex in Ilha Solteira, São Paulo . With an installed capacity of 254.5 MW spread across 82 generation units organized into six individual power plants, this project further demonstrates the geographic spread of solar investment beyond the Northeast .

These projects, taken together, represent a profound shift in Brazil’s energy matrix. Solar power, once dismissed as a niche alternative, is now a mainstream contributor to the National Interconnected System, providing clean, affordable electricity to millions of Brazilian homes.

Wind Power: The Northeast’s Competitive Advantage

If the Northeast is ideal for solar, it’s even better for wind. The region’s consistent trade winds, particularly in the states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, Piauí, and Ceará, create some of the best wind conditions on the planet. In 2026, this natural advantage is being harnessed through a series of massive wind projects.

ENGIE’s Serra do Assuruá: A Wind Power Giant

Just weeks before Assú Sol came online, ENGIE achieved another milestone with the full commissioning of the Serra do Assuruá wind complex in Gentio do Ouro, Bahia . With an installed capacity of 846 MW, it is the company’s largest onshore wind farm in operation anywhere in the world .

The complex represents a critical component of ENGIE’s Brazilian renewable portfolio, which now totals 15.7 GW of fully renewable installed capacity across hydropower, onshore wind, and solar assets . The company also operates approximately 3,200 kilometers of transmission lines and 22 substations nationwide, providing the infrastructure necessary to move this clean energy from remote generation sites to urban consumption centers .

Casa dos Ventos and Vestas: The Dom Inocêncio Mega-Project

Perhaps the most significant wind development of early 2026 is the announcement by Casa dos Ventos, one of Brazil’s largest renewable energy companies, of an 828 MW order for the Dom Inocêncio wind complex in Piauí . This marks the first major move in Brazil’s wind market since 2023, signaling the return of large-scale investments after a brief hiatus .

Project Specifications:

• Location: Dom Inocêncio, south-central Piauí
• Capacity: 828 MW
• Turbines: 184 Vestas V150-4.5 MW turbines
• Investment: Over BRL 5 billion (approximately $970 million USD)
• Homes Powered: Approximately 2 million
• Timeline: Construction begins 2026, final commissioning scheduled for 2028
• Jobs Created: More than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation

The partnership between Casa dos Ventos and Vestas spans more than eight years and has been critical to Brazil’s wind energy expansion. Under the agreement, Vestas will not only supply the turbines and manage construction but will also provide operation and maintenance services for 25 years under an Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement . This long-term commitment ensures optimal performance throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Lucas Araripe, Executive Director of Casa dos Ventos, emphasized the project’s significance: “Through our partnership with Vestas, we are bringing solutions that deliver the reliability and performance required for a project of this magnitude. This new agreement is yet another demonstration of our commitment to supporting the expansion of Brazil’s renewable energy matrix. In addition to driving the country’s energy transition, our investment will also significantly boost the socio-economic development of the region” .

Chinese Innovation Enters the Market: Envision’s AI-Powered Turbines

In a landmark development for Brazil’s wind sector, Chinese green energy firm Envision Energy is preparing to enter the Brazilian market through a partnership with Casa dos Ventos . The agreement involves supplying customized 8.x MW Galileo artificial intelligence wind turbines for a 630 MW wind project—among the largest single-capacity units ever deployed in Brazil .

What makes these turbines truly revolutionary is their integration of artificial intelligence. The 8.x MW Galileo AI wind turbines incorporate Envision’s Tianshu Large Energy Model and Tianji Large Weather Model, AI systems designed to optimize energy output based on local resources, grid conditions, and technical standards . This represents a fundamental shift in how wind farms operate—moving from passive generation to active, AI-optimized production that maximizes efficiency and grid integration.

The partnership also includes a 30-year service agreement, demonstrating Envision’s long-term commitment to the Brazilian market . This deal marks progress for Chinese renewable energy technology in Latin America’s largest economy, where European manufacturers like Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, and GE Vernova have traditionally dominated the wind turbine market .

Henry Peng, senior vice president and president of Latin America and Europe at Envision, contextualized the opportunity: “Brazil has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy, with clean sources supplying nearly 90 percent of the country’s electricity. As the government diversifies the energy mix, non-hydro renewables, such as wind and solar, are becoming a strategic pillar of Brazil’s energy transition” .

Juramento Wind Farm: Minas Gerais Enters the Game

While the Northeast dominates Brazil’s wind landscape, other regions are also developing significant capacity. The Juramento wind farm in Francisco Sá, Minas Gerais, is currently in pre-construction with all eight phases planned for commissioning in 2026 . Developed by Atlas Renewable Energy, the project will add approximately 384 MW of capacity across its eight phases, each contributing 48.056 MW .

Record-Breaking Turbines: The 7 MW Milestone

Brazil is also pushing the technological frontier of wind turbine design. In a collaborative project involving Petrobras, WEG, and Statkraft, the country has installed the largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas . With an installed capacity of 7 MW, this turbine is capable of generating approximately 2,500 MWh per month—enough to meet the annual consumption of approximately 15,000 Brazilian homes .

The project received R$ 130 million in investments from Petrobras, originating from the Research, Development and Innovation clause of contracts with the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) . Additional funding came from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the federal government.

The turbine was built by WEG, a Brazilian industrial giant, and installed by Statkraft as part of the modernization of the Seabra Wind Farm, located in the Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex in Bahia . Thiago Tomazzoli, CEO of Statkraft, emphasized the project’s significance: “Statkraft’s partnership with WEG and Petrobras in the construction of the largest onshore wind turbine in the Americas not only reaffirms the companies’ commitment to innovation and operational efficiency, but also contributes to a cleaner energy matrix” .

The Transmission Challenge: Connecting Renewable Energy to the Grid

Building massive solar and wind farms is only half the challenge. These projects are typically located in remote areas far from population centers, requiring extensive transmission infrastructure to bring the electricity to market.

ENGIE is addressing this challenge through the Asa Branca transmission network in Bahia . The first 334-kilometer segment has already been energized, and the network will ultimately extend over more than 1,000 kilometers across the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo . In addition to completing the remaining 660 kilometers of this project, ENGIE is also implementing the Graúna project, which includes the construction of 780 kilometers of transmission lines between Paraná and Santa Catarina .

This transmission infrastructure is as critical to Brazil’s energy transition as the generation projects themselves. Without it, the clean power generated in the Northeast’s wind-swept plains and sun-drenched plateaus would never reach the industrial centers of the Southeast.

Economic and Social Impact: Beyond Megawatts

The renewable energy boom in Brazil is creating far more than just electricity. These projects are engines of economic development in some of the country’s poorest regions.

• Job Creation: The projects highlighted in this article alone have created or will create tens of thousands of jobs. Assú Sol generated 4,500 direct positions during construction. Dom Inocêncio is expected to create more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs .
• Local Development: Companies like ENGIE are investing in community infrastructure—schools, health centers, sports facilities, and water access—that will benefit local populations long after construction crews have departed .
• Supply Chain Stimulation: Large-scale renewable projects stimulate the entire value chain, from technical services and engineering to innovation and professional training . This builds local capacity and expertise that will support future projects.

Brazil’s Renewable Future: By the Numbers

To understand the scale of Brazil’s renewable transformation, consider these figures:

These projects represent billions in investment and will power millions of Brazilian homes with clean, renewable energy.

The Path Forward

Brazil’s renewable energy boom shows no signs of slowing. With some of the world’s best solar and wind resources, a supportive policy environment, and a growing pipeline of projects from domestic and international developers, the country is well-positioned to become a global leader in the energy transition.

The projects of 2026 demonstrate that this is not a distant future—it’s happening now. From the solar panels of Assú Sol gleaming under the Northeast sun to the massive AI-powered turbines of Envision spinning in Piauí’s trade winds, Brazil is building the clean energy infrastructure that will power its economy for decades to come.

For investors, developers, and policymakers watching the global energy transition, Brazil offers a compelling model: a country leveraging its natural advantages, attracting international capital and technology, and delivering tangible economic benefits to local communities while decarbonizing its energy matrix.

The renewable revolution is well underway in Brazil, and 2026 will be remembered as the year it truly hit its stride.