Wind power in Brazil: Impsa has already made 200 wind turbines

Wind turbine #200 is just one in the 10-wind farm project in Santa Catarina, totaling 22 MW of installed capacity with 148 wind turbines. “Wind turbine #200 is a landmark in our productive evolution and the fulfillment of our goal to produce 6 wind turbines per week,” stated Frank Migiyama, Operations Director for WPE, who also pointed out the importance of Kaizen, the program of excellence implemented at the production center.

With newly expanded facilities in Suape, WPE announces the installation of the largest VPI in South America early in 2012. “We are focused on meeting a higher demand than this year,” Migiyama pointed out. In addition to the WPE expansion, IMPSA expects to inaugurate a new plant in Suape for the production of hydropower components in 2012. “We are in the spotlight on the Brazilian market and the new plant represents IMPSA’s productivity and growth in the country”.

The first wind turbine adapted to the winds in Brazil was manufactured by WPE at its Technology Development Center. The IWP-100, as it is called, was developed with the support of FINEP (Financiadora de Estudios e Projetos) and there are three prototypes in operation. The prototype consists of giant rotor of 100 m in diameter to ensure generation of more megawatts. FINEP’s Programa de Subvención Económica and IMPSA provided the more than R$ 100 million invested in this project.

The new product adopts the gearless DDPMG concept (Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generator) with magnetic activation, which eliminates moving parts and facilitates maintenance. “We can thus ensure equipment availability throughout the service life of the product,” explained Paulo Ferreira, IMPSA’s Commercial Manager.

By year end, Wind Power Energy expects to double productivity in Brazil. Only in 2011 the company invested about R$30 million in infrastructure, equipment and plant expansion. WPE’s increase in operations also benefits its suppliers. “With the increase in productivity we have set off a very positive chain reaction. Our suppliers to the engineering and logistics sectors must also develop, reduce their costs and improve quality and productivity. This will strengthen the Brazilian industry and provide more direct and indirect job opportunities,” said Migiyama. At present, the plant is operating with twice as many employees as in the last year and that number is expected to increase by next year.

By José Santamarta, www.evwind.com