Dec 17 2010
GE Power & Water declared that four developers namely Dobreve Energia (DESA), Renova Energia, Bioenergy Projects and Contour Global have committed to provide more than 400 MW of clean wind energy to Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte and Bahia States in the 2010 Alternative Energy Auctions.
They include 258 GE Advanced wind turbines with 1.5 MW and 1.6 MW capacities. According to Victor Abate, Vice President of GE, their company was focused on providing superior wind energy technological systems to suit Brazil’s wind conditions and also in assisting the country to meet its renewable energy targets. These commitments add to GE’s achievements in gaining above 400 MW of wind turbine commitments in the 2009 auction the first technology- specific energy auction in Brazil.
GE’s Wind Director for Latin America, Jean Claude Robert, declared that the company had successfully won a quarter of the total megawatts given during the past year in Brazil, making them one of the leaders and key players in the country’s energy sector. The commitments include Renova’s 102 units of 163 MW; Contour Global's 100 units of 150 MW; DESA’s 38 units of 60 MW; and Bioenergy’s 18 units of 28.8 MW capacities. GE’s scope would cover the supply, construction and commissioning of the wind turbines and a two year service agreement with the developers. GE’s wind turbine technology is the company’s initiative to create and build innovative products that can stand up to environmental challenges and is called ecomagination.
Basically Brazil has always depended on hydropower for electricity. These new wind auctions highlight the country’s dedication to expanding its renewable energy portfolio through wind power. A recent HIS Emerging Research study reveals that Brazil with its proposed 31.6 GW capacity by 2025 leads the Latin American region. It also underscores Brazil’s proactive policies on renewable energy and market scale as the major elements that facilitate a steady development in the country’s wind power segment. GE with its 6000 employees has been operating in Brazil from 1919. Its future plans include an investment of $500 million for expanding operations in Brazil and includes $200 million for an increased capacity and an aeroderivative product expansion for its Oil & Gas business and also a new wind energy turbine. It is also launching a new multi-disciplinary R&D center in Rio de Janeiro focusing on advanced technologies for industries such as aviation, rail, mining, oil and gas and renewable energy.
Source: http://www.gewater.com/