Brazil - Vestas continues wind energy drive in South America

Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for a total capacity of 90 MW for projects in Brazil. The order comprises 10 units of the V90-3.0 MW and 30 wind turbines of the V100-2.0 MW for the following wind farm plants: São Pedro do Lago, Pedra Branca and Sete Gameleiras, all of them located in Bahia in Brazil. The State of Bahia has a huge wind potential, and the areas surrounding São Francisco River have both outstanding wind and grid connection conditions.

The wind energy order has been placed by the consortium created by Brennand Energia and Companhia Hidro Elétrica do São Francisco (CHESF), which have established a strong relationship with the local small farmers of this semi-desertic area, creating new jobs and fostering land regularization, always in line with sustainable development. Also, both companies are developing new projects in the region.

The contract includes delivery, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, a VestasOnline® Business SCADA system and a 10-year Service Contract with the AOM 5000 solution. The AOM 5000 is Vestas’ new service product optimizing wind power plant output and minimizing customer risk. This new service product introduces an energy-based guarantee, which ensures the turbines are fully operational when the wind is blowing. Thus, this service offering provides customers with a higher certainty of energy production and a higher energy output than traditional service offerings with a time-base availability guarantee, leading to more revenue and increased business case certainty.

Delivery of the turbines is expected to start in the first half of 2012 and the project is expected to be commercially operational in December 2012.

Mozzart Siqueira, Brennand Energia CEO, declares: “Vestas is the most experienced wind technology and service provider worldwide which also counts with vast knowledge and experience in the Brazilian market.”

José Aílton de Lima, CHESF’s Engineering Director, emphasizes: “We believe that Vestas can help us to maximise the wind power plants’ energy output and, consequently, to obtain the highest profitability possible on our wind assets.”

Ricardo Simões, Brennand Energia’s Director, adds: “During a period where global warming has become a great concern, both CHESF and Brennand Energia are showing commitment to the production of energy that is renewable, clean and free of greenhouse gases emission. The choice of a wind turbine manufacturer was an important decision for us, and we are glad to work together with Vestas in these projects in Brazil.”

Marcelo Anton Pegler Hutschinski, Director, Vestas Brazil, expresses: “We are very proud that Brennand Energia and CHESF have chosen Vestas as a supplier for their wind investments in Brazil, which clearly shows their confidence in our technology, our products as well as our global and local capabilities. This new contract is a further step in strengthening Vestas’ presence and positioning in the Brazilian market.”

Juan Araluce, President, Vestas Mediterranean, concludes: “In the past two years, we have seen an increasing interest in wind in Brazil, as a clean, competitive and predictable energy source. Wind can help Brazil diversify its energy mix complementing the already existing energy sources. Vestas is fully committed to support the development of wind in the country and to contribute to creating a local industry through the development of a strong network of local suppliers and competencies.”

The wind power plants of this order will produce approx 332 GWh per year, which corresponds to an annual emission saving of approx 24,235 tons of CO2 compared with average Brazilian electricity. Furthermore, it will provide enough electricity to cover the annual residential electricity consumption of almost 667,000 people in Brazil.

As of 31 December 2010, Vestas has delivered to Brazil a total capacity of more than 200 MW. Vestas Brazil is the sales unit responsible for the sales, installation and service and maintenance of wind turbines in Brazil. With the aim of satisfying customers’ needs, Vestas in Brazil is developing a network of local suppliers which are able to deliver products and services during the different phases of the development of a wind power plant.

Vestas Mediterranean is one of the seven Sales Business Units in the Vestas Group and it manages all sales, construction and service operations in the countries of the Mediterranean region, Middle East, Latin America, Caribbean as well as approx 70 per cent of the African continent. As of 31 December 2010, this SBU delivered a cumulative capacity close to 10,000 MW, representing 22.5 per cent of Vestas’ global capacity. Vestas employs a workforce of more than 3,000 highly skilled and fully committed employees in the Mediterranean area.

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