The Peruvian alternative energy company Iberoperuana Inversiones SAC has commenced construction on a 240 megawatt wind energy farm. It is Peru’s first major alternative energy project.

Iberoperuana Inversiones plans to invest 0 million in the farm, which is projected to provide clean electricity for an estimated 80,000 families in Peru’s southern desert region of Paracas. The wind energy park will be located near the city of Ica (near Paracas National Park and the Nazca Lines) and will be known as the “Parque Eólico San Andrés” (San Andrés Wind Park).

In a ceremony that took place last weekend, the construction of the park’s first wind turbine was highlighted. It is hoped that the park will be complete in less than two years time. By the end of this year, Iberoperuana Inversiones plans for the park to already be generating 22 megawatts of energy. Antonio Caballo, a representative of the company showed his excitement saying, “the opportunity that we have been given by the government to invest in Peru by the Ministry of Energy and Mines has opened very large doors for investors worldwide.”

As noted in a previous article about biodiesel production in Peru, with its abundant desert wind and sunshine, the coastal country is ripe for development of alternative energy. A smaller micro wind power project in the tiny, isolated mountain village of Alumbre, Peru has already demonstrated the potential for overwhelming success and support for these initiatives. The great news is that the San Andrés Wind Park is only the first of 15 alternative energy projects that Iberoperuana Inversiones has been licensed to pursue in Peru.

While already known for its terrific, fascinating archaeological sites, beautiful and intriguing natural areas, and tasty, diverse foods, in the future perhaps Peru will also be known as an alternative energy powerhouse.