The Brazil wind industry's annual report projects that Brazil will have 8.8 GW of cumulative installed wind power capacity by 2017, more than three times the current capacity of 2.5 GW. The new projects are expected to attract more than $10 billion in investment from 2013 to 2017.

Published by ABEEólica, the Brazilian Wind Power Association, the report provides data on generation capacity, capacity factor, economic benefits, and CO2 emissions avoided.

Notably, capacity factor for "Phase 2" wind farms (those contracted after 2009) averaged 54% in 2012, compared to earlier "Phase 1" wind farms, which averaged 27%, according to the report. The main difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 relates to the technological advances in wind turbines.

Despite recent advances in solar and wind energy, Brazil is considering significant new investments in gas and coal plants to help power the 2014 World Cup, according to a recent Bloomberg article. After droughts depleted dam reservoirs in 2012, the country revised rules for power auctions in a move that may boost fossil energy by 50% at the expense of wind. The new policies will allow developers to propose Brazil’s first new coal plants in auctions since they were barred in 2009 over concerns of greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a $4 million annual award launched in 2008 to recognize individuals, companies, organizations, and high schools making a significant impact in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. The annual award celebrates achievements that reflect impact, innovation, long-term vision, and leadership in finding solutions to conserve energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the production of clean, renewable energy. Online submissions by organizations are due by August 5, 2013. Nominations for lifetime achievement are due by July 22, 2013. Click here for leaflets in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

In joint press conferences, President Obama of the U.S., President Pena Nieto of Mexico, and President Chinchilla of Costa Rica highlight the importance of clean energy partnerships:

Remarks by President Obama and President Pena Nieto of Mexico in a Joint Press Conference (May 2, 2013)

Joint Press Conference with President Obama and President Chinchilla of Costa Rica (May 3, 2013)

Clean energy investment in non-Brazil Latin America totaled $4.7 billion in 2012, a 127% increase from 2011, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, while total clean energy investment in Latin America, including Brazil, reached $9.7 billion. With the dramatic growth in investment in non-Brazil Latin America, the region was a leader in a year when global clean energy investment declined 11%. (More on global trends here.)

The most growth occurred in Mexico ($1.9 billion, up 595%), Chile ($1 billion, up 313%), Uruguay ($105 million, up 285%), and Peru ($643 million, up 176%). The investment totals include investments in energy generation technologies and biofuels.

The investment growth in non-Brazil Latin America was "driven by increased activity by the Inter-American Development Bank,” said Maria Gabriela da Rocha Oliveira, Head of Latin America Research and Analysis at BNEF, in an ACORE press release. “Additionally, European players, both project developers and manufacturers, have become more active in the region given grim conditions at home.”

Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, attracted the most capital in the region, $5.17 billion, but this figure represents a significant decline from the $7.8 billion invested in Brazil in 2011. This decline is reportedly due in part to the funding disbursement cycles of the development banks that provide the majority of asset finance in the region.