The project consists of the development of a wind based generation facility with a nominal power capacity rated at 19,5 MW, located in Wayuu Indigenous Territory in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Colombian coast, within the region of Uribia in the Department of Guajira. The name Jepirachi means “northeast wind“ in the Wayuu language.
Guajira is one of the poorest lands on the South American continent, with limited natural resources and with no permanent access to drinking water, which complicates the development and quality of life of the regional communities.
The Jepirachi project, hopes to contribute to improving the welfare of this disadvantaged community, and generating energy from renewable sources, contributing to the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Since commissioning in January 2004, the wind generators have delivered around 80 GWh of clean energy to the Colombian National Interconnected System (SIN).
IMPACTS
Environmental
- Reduction the use of fossil fuels for energy generation, with the subsequent decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases.
- Contribution to the capacity to increase the share of non-hydroelectric energy in the national grid, contributing to Technical specialization at national level, in the installation and management of wind power technology. Such indirect benefits stimulate the development of other renewable energy systems in Colombia.
Social
- Demonstration the potential for wind-based generation at the commercial level, thereby facilitating investments that will capture the relatively large wind-energy potential identified in the country.
- Contribution to the development of the host indigenous community, which is among the poorest in the country, by financing a series of community-driven projects designed in consultation with the project sponsor, that are above and beyond what is required by the system of transfers mandated by Colombian, among others: Training to facilitate direct and indirect job creation; provision of a water desalinization plant fed by wind power and the provision of water storage depots; and health and educational facilities.
- Contribution to an increase in economic activity during the construction period, injecting $21 million in the Colombian economy.
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