Brazil Powers 143,000 Homes With First Hybrid Wind-Solar Farm

A groundbreaking renewable energy project in Brazil is showing the world how to make clean power more reliable and affordable by combining two green technologies into one smart system.

Equinor has brought its Serra da Babilônia hybrid facility online in Brazil's Bahia region, marking the first time the energy company has combined wind turbines and solar panels at a single location. The facility will produce 236 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to keep the lights on for 143,000 Brazilian households.

The project works by taking advantage of the region's natural weather patterns. Solar panels soak up energy during sunny days, while wind turbines take over when coastal breezes sweep through the area, creating a more consistent power supply than either technology could deliver alone.

By building both systems at the same site, Equinor saves money and time through shared infrastructure like transmission lines and maintenance facilities. This approach tackles one of renewable energy's biggest challenges: the intermittent nature of sun and wind power.

The Ripple Effect

The hybrid model represents a major shift in how energy companies are thinking about renewable power. Instead of choosing between solar or wind, combining both technologies creates a more stable electricity supply that can compete with traditional fossil fuels.

Equinor now operates around 600 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in Brazil through its subsidiary Rio Energy. The electricity generated at Serra da Babilônia will be sold through the company's trading arm, Danske Commodities, helping power homes and businesses across the country.

"Hybrid projects that effectively integrate solar and wind technologies support a stable and reliable energy supply while enhancing value creation," says Helge Haugane, Equinor's executive vice president for Power. The company views Brazil as a key market for long-term growth in renewable energy.

The success of this project could inspire similar hybrid facilities across South America and beyond, proving that the future of clean energy might not be choosing between technologies but bringing them together.

Brazil is building the blueprint for how countries can transition to renewable power without sacrificing reliability or affordability.