Wind central Villonaco

We visited Wind Central Villonaco (Central Eólica Villonaco), situated between Loja and Catamayo, with a group of architecture students. Our purpose was to learn about the wind park featuring 11 aerogenerators and to draw inspiration from the industrial plant that thrives in a harsh climate at an altitude of 2720 meters above sea level.

Opened in 2013, the Windpark rests on the Villonaco crest and is fueled by the robust winds flowing between the lower, much warmer city of Catamayo (altitude of 1370 m) and the higher, colder city of Loja (altitude of 2,060 m). The aerogenerators stand tall at a height of 100 meters, with the support tower reaching 65 meters and the rotor blades spanning 35 meters. Wind Central Villonaco contributes to 45% of the energy demand for the Loja Region.

Group picture in front of the Interpretation Center of the Wind Central Villonaco // Photo by W. Chamba.

Interpretation Center building backside with aerogenerators in the back // Photo by J. Lips

Aerogenerator mountain landscape // Photo by J. Lips

Rotor blades // Photo by J. Lips

Aerogenerators foggy weather at 2700 meters altitude // Photo by J. Lips

Rotor blades and Turbine // Photo by J. Lips

Walkway to the Interpretation Center of the wind park // Photo by J. Lips

Landscape with endemic vegetation // Photo by J. Lips

Happy Jasmina // Photo by A. Rivera