Snapshot

In March 2026, the pastoral organisation Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT) filed a lawsuit in the city of Caetés, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, against the State Environmental Agency and the renewable energy companies Casa dos Ventos Energias Renováveis S.A., Echoenergia Participações S.A. and Ventos de São Clemente Holding S.A. Since the installation of a wind farm complex in 2016, nearby communities have reportedly faced losses to farming and livestock, physical and mental health impacts and turbine noise pollution. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the alleged socio-environmental harm, the shutdown of turbines within 500 metres of residences, and the non-renewal of the operating licence until a participatory reparations plan is presented. The case is ongoing.

Factual Background:

The Ventos de São Clemente wind complex includes eight wind farms and 126 turbines located in the scrubland region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. It has allegedly affected over 500 peasant families with long-standing land ties and livelihoods based on subsistence farming and livestock.

In 2012, Casa dos Ventos Energias Renováveis S.A. reportedly arrived in the region promoting the wind complex as a driver of local development and improved living conditions. In 2014, it obtained a licence from the State Environmental Agency (Agência Estadual de Meio Ambiente - CPRH) to install the wind turbines and, in 2016, received authorisation to begin operations. In 2017, the Ventos de São Clemente wind complex was acquired by Echoenergia Participações S.A.

In 2020, despite growing local opposition, CPRH renewed the project’s operational licence until 2024. In 2024, an on-site inspection carried out by CPRH confirmed noise pollution and ordered, among other measures, the relocation of wind turbines or the compensation and relocation of families living within 500 metres of the towers. In 2025, CPRH denied the renewal of the operational licence and ordered the immediate shutdown of the turbines as it considered that the company had failed to demonstrate compliance with these measures.

Seeking to overturn the administrative decision, Ventos de São Clemente Holding S.A. filed a lawsuit against CPRH before the Pernambuco Court of Justice on 22 February 2026. At first instance, the court upheld the administrative decision, but on appeal, the court issued an interim injunction that allowed operations to resume. On 8 April 2026, in the same case, the court approved a settlement between the company and CPRH. Reportedly reached without community participation, the agreement provided for relocation of families living within 280 metres of turbines, but did not clarify the situation of those unwilling to relocate or address all already affected individuals. Families living 500 metres to one kilometre away remained ineligible for relocation or compensation unless noise limits were exceeded. On 17 April 2026, the Public Prosecutor’s Office appealed the decision.

Legal Proceeding

On 13 March 2026, the Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT), a pastoral organisation linked to the Catholic Church filed a lawsuit in the city of Caetés, Pernambuco, Brazil, against the State Environmental Agency and the renewable energy companies Ventos de São Clemente Holding S.A., Casa dos Ventos Energias Renováveis S.A. and Echoenergia Participações S.A, seeking compensation for alleged socio-environmental harm, the shutdown of turbines within 500 metres of residences, and the non-renewal of the operating licence until a participatory reparations plan is presented. The lawsuit is ongoing.

Legal Argument:

The plaintiff, the CPT, alleges violations of the environmental, social and economic rights of around 500 peasant families living in the area. Alleged impacts include environmental damage, and losses to farming and livestock production, affecting families’ income and food security, physical and mental health problems, and noise pollution caused by the turbines. The claim also reports cracks in houses and water cisterns caused by the turbines’ construction and operation, and questions flaws in the environmental licensing process conducted by CPRH.

In the lawsuit, CPT requests that the court order measures to stop the environmental harm caused by the wind farm complex and to ensure reparations for affected communities. The requests include compensation for socio-environmental damages, financial compensation for affected families, and, as an urgent measure, the shutdown of turbines located within 500 metres of homes. The claim also requests that the State Environmental Agency refrain from renewing the operational licence for the wind complex until a participatory reparations plan is presented.

In a statement, Echoenergia said it has been implementing a range of mitigation measures for 130 families located near the wind complex.