Dec 27 2010
GE Technology, a Latin American provider of wind energy, recently announced that four developers would supply more than 400 megawatts of clean, wind energy to the country’s renewable energy capacity. These include 258 of GE’s 1.5 and 1.6-megawatt wind turbines.
The clientele pledged to GE’s 2010 Alternative Energy Auction are Renova Energia S.A., Dobreve Energia S.A. (DESA), Contour Global and Bioenergy. Projects from these customers are in the states of Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte. The 2010 auction has helped GE acquire more than 400 megawatts of wind energy in Brazil’s energy auction in 2009.
These commitments include Renova for 163 megawatts with 102 units, DESA for 60 megawatts with 38 units, Contour Global for 150 megawatts with 100 units, and Bioenergy for 28.8 megawatts with 18 units. Renova and DESA had earlier chosen GE at the 2009 auction, while Contour and Bioenergy are first-time customers. Its scope with each developer will include supply, erection and commissioning of the turbines, besides service agreements for two years.
The country has 31.6 gigawatts capacity to be installed by 2025, according to a recent study by IHS Emerging Energy Research. The study also cites the country’s market and proactive renewable energy policies as key points in creating growth in wind power development.
The company recently announced its plans to invest $500 million to enhance operations in the country, including $200 million for wind turbine and aero-derivative development and enhanced capacity for its Oil & Gas business, and is setting up a multi-disciplinary research and development center in Rio de Janeiro.