Vestas signs wind energy order for 254 MW in Brazil

Vestas has signed an agreement for a total capacity of 254 MW for wind farm projects in Brazil. The order comprises 127 wind turbines V100-2.0 MW for the following wind power complexes: Campos dos Ventos and São Benedito – both of them located in Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil.

The order has been placed by CPFL Renováveis, a company originated from the merger between CPFL Energia´s renewable assets and ERSA Energias Renováveis. CPFL Renováveis is exclusively dedicated to the generation of energy from renewable sources, such as small hydro, wind farms and biomass. CPFL’s wind projects portfolio counts on 2 GW under operation, construction, preparation and development.

The contract includes delivery, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, a VestasOnline® Business SCADA system and a 10-year service contract with an AOM4000 solution. The AOM 4000 is a full-scope service contract, consisting of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and consumables, which offers solid risk management for customers, who want an availability guarantee measured against an agreed threshold. This type of contract offers customers assured performance avoiding unforeseen operational costs of any kind.

Delivery of the turbines is expected to start in the first half of 2013 and the project is expected to be commercially operational during the first half of 2014.

“This agreement lays the foundations for a fruitful and collaborative relationship between Vestas and CPFL Renováveis for the years to come,” says Miguel Saad, CEO of CPFL Renováveis, who adds: “We are pleased to award this project to Vestas, one of the most experienced wind technology provider worldwide”.

“It is with great pleasure we announce this order and we are pleased with the commitment and trust which CPFL Renováveis has shown us. CPFL Renováveis is one of the most important players in Brazil and we look forward to a continuous cooperation,” affirms Marcelo Anton Pegler Hutschinski, Director, sales region Brazil.

“Vestas is fully committed to help develop wind power in Brazil, as it supports the creation of a strong, diversified and high-quality supply chain contributing to continuously improving the industry as a whole, the products and solutions offered and the type of service provided to the market,” declares Miguel Picardo, General Manager, Vestas Brazil, Portugal and Spain and continues: “Wind will help create jobs, develop new local competencies, encourage innovation and obtain benefit from economies of scale.”

“Vestas is continuously looking for opportunities to be more competitive, to be closer to the customers and the markets where we operate. This project represents a step forward for Vestas in our current expansion in the Latin American markets, specifically in Brazil," concludes Juan Araluce, President, Vestas Mediterranean

The wind power plant will produce approx 1,100 GWh per year, which corresponds to an annual emission saving of almost 98,000 tons of CO2 compared with average Brazilian electricity. Furthermore, it will provide enough electricity to cover the residential electricity consumption of more than 1.6 million people per year in Brazil.

Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 44,500 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by approx 50 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has installed turbines in 66 countries, and for our own operations alone, we provide jobs for over 20,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world.

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, which among others includes the establishment of a nacelle assembly factory and a new operations cluster in Fortaleza.

www.vestas.com