The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Ecuador has awarded the Spanish consortium Cobra Zero-E Villonaco the concession for the “Villonaco III Wind Project” in the southern province of Loja.The project will have a capacity of 110 megawatts, generating clean energy.Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso presided over the signing of the concession contract between the Minister of Energy and Mines, Fernando Santos, and representatives of the consortium in Quito.With an estimated private investment of around US$181 million, the Villonaco III Wind Project aims to build the largest wind power plant in Ecuador.Ecuador awards concession to Spanish consortium for Villonaco III wind project.

(Photo Internet reproduction)It will span approximately 800 hectares and operate under a 25-year permit contract for electricity production from wind.The concession entails the project’s design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance.President Lasso emphasized that the project aligns with Ecuador’s commitment to an ecological transition, promoting clean energy sources like wind power.The Villonaco III project is expected to enhance the energy supply during the dry season in the Amazon basin, mitigating blackout risks and maintaining productivity in the country.Its operation, scheduled to commence in 2025, will prevent the emission of approximately 321,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.Eduardo Mora, the representative of the Spanish consortium, expressed that the signing of the contract represents a significant milestone achieved through the support of the Ecuadorian government.

TThe primary objective of the Villonaco III wind project is to increase renewable electricity generation, contributing to Ecuador’s energy mix diversification and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.