Global Carbon Council (GCC) celebrates a significant milestone with the registration of its 200th project – the Echo 4 Wind Complex in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This landmark registration reinforces GCC’s commitment to advancing renewable energy and sustainable development worldwide.
Managed by Echoenergia Participações S.A., the project comprises four wind power plants located in the municipalities of Cerro Corá, Jardim de Angicos, and João Câmara, with a total installed capacity of 85.40 MW. By supplying clean electricity to the Brazilian National Interconnected System (SIN), the project displaces fossil fuel-based generation, contributing directly to Brazil’s low-carbon energy transition.
Harnessing Wind Power for a Sustainable Future
The Echo 4 Wind Complex exemplifies how modern renewable energy projects can combine high-quality electricity generation with climate, social, and environmental benefits. By generating renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the project supports both Brazil’s national climate targets and global efforts to limit warming.
The project applies the ACM0002 methodology (version 21.0) for grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources, and has been independently verified by Earthood Services Private Limited, confirming that the forecasted 148,450 tCO₂e of emissions reductions per year are credible and transparent. The project also successfully achieved GCC’s E+ (Environmental No-Harm), S+ (Social No-Harm), Platinum SDG+, and C+ (CORSIA Pilot Phase) labels.
Positive Impacts for People and Planet
- Expanding Clean Energy Access: By replacing thermal generation with wind power, Echo 4 provides reliable electricity to communities and businesses across Rio Grande do Norte, generating a measurable reduction in CO₂ emissions.
- Sustainable Resource Use: The project operates with strong environmental management practices, including careful monitoring of natural resources, responsible waste management, and minimal land-use disturbance.
- Protecting Local Ecosystems: Echo 4 safeguards local biodiversity, addresses community concerns, and ensures that operations maintain harmony with surrounding ecosystems.
- Boosting Local Livelihoods: Construction and operation of the wind farms create both long- and short-term employment opportunities, supporting household incomes and regional economic growth.
- Health, Safety, and Skills Development: Occupational health and safety are prioritized through rigorous training, disease prevention, and accident reduction measures. Local communities benefit from specialized skills training, enhancing employability in the renewable energy sector.
- Social Safeguards: Comprehensive monitoring ensures all social commitments are met with no net harm to communities, supporting sustainable development in the region.
Advancing Sustainable Development Goals
The Echo 4 Wind Complex actively contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), linking clean energy with tangible social and economic benefits:
📚 SDG 4 — Quality Education:
The project promotes skill-building and capacity development in local communities, fostering education and technical training opportunities.
SDG 7 — Affordable and Clean Energy:
Echo 4 adds renewable capacity to the national grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the availability of stable, clean energy for households, schools, and businesses.
SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth:
Through construction, operations, and skills development, the project generates employment and strengthens the local workforce.
🌆 SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities:
Ensuring inclusive, safe, and accessible public space in a rural area with limited access to public services serving women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
🌍 SDG 13 — Climate Action:
By displacing fossil fuel generation, the project achieves verified reductions of 148,450 tCO₂e per year, contributing measurably to Brazil’s climate commitments.
Leonardo Machado, COO of Echoenergia, said “It is an important milestone to register another project in the GCC and to receive a Platinum grade. More than generating energy, we are reinforcing our institutional commitment by operating renewable generation projects structured for the issuance of carbon credits, in compliance with the most rigorous international sustainability standards. This achievement strengthens our commitment to a just energy transition and a more sustainable future.”
Paulo Zanardi, CEO of GSS Impact Development, added “The successful registration of the Echo 4 Wind Complex carbon project with the Global Carbon Council marks an important milestone, reflecting the strength and integrity of well-structured renewable energy carbon initiatives. We are proud to have supported the development and registration of this project, and we look forward to seeing other high-integrity projects follow the same path, contributing to the advancement of credible carbon markets and the global energy transition”.
Project Ownership and Partners
The Echo 4 Wind Complex is owned and operated by Echoenergia Participações S.A., with verification conducted by Earthood Services Private Limited. Through GCC’s program, the project aligns technical performance, climate benefits, and social impacts under an internationally recognized carbon standard.
A Legacy of Clean Energy
The registration of the Echo 4 Wind Complex as GCC’s 200th approved project demonstrates how carbon markets can unlock financing and partnerships for renewable energy development. By generating clean electricity, creating local jobs, and fostering climate action, Echo 4 embodies a model for sustainable growth and a just energy transition in Brazil.
Echo 4 Wind Complex – powering Brazil’s clean energy future and advancing global climate solutions.
