Renewable Wind Energy Implementation in South America: A Comprehensive Review and Sustainable Prospects

Abstract

South America is a region that stands out worldwide for its biodiversity of ecosystems, cultural heritage, and potential considering natural resources linked to renewable energies. In the global crisis due to climate change, South American countries have implemented actions to carry out a progressive energy transition from fossil energies to renewable energies and contribute to the planet’s sustainability. In this context, South American countries are implementing green strategies and investment projects linked to wind farms to move towards achieving the sustainable development goals for the year 2030 of the UN agenda and achieving low-carbon economies for the year 2050. This article studies the advances in wind energy implementation in South America, highlighting progress and experiences in these issues through a review of the scientific literature considering the year 2023. The methodology applied in this article was carried out through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the generation of scientific maps. As a result, this article presents the main developments, lessons learned/gaps, and future sustainable prospects on the road to 2050. According to the results, renewable wind energy infrastructure was applied in South America during the global climate change crisis era. Different levels of development in on-shore wind farms have been reached in each country. Also, a promising future exists for off-shore wind energy considering the highest potential. Finally, this article concludes that implementing emerging technologies like the production of green hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels looks like a synergetic clean energy solution combined with wind energy, which may transform the region into a world-class sustainable territory.