A partnership between WEG and Vale will begin the production of solar power stations in Minas Gerais, aiming at the technological development of the state. The agreement established that WEG's new industrial unit, located in the city of Betim (MG), will be responsible for manufacturing 69 central solar power stations for Vale.
The equipment will be delivered in the second half of this year and will be used in the implementation of the Sol do Cerrado Project, in the municipality of Jaíba, in the northern region of the state. The mining company's project will occupy an area of 1,2 hectares and promises to be one of the largest photovoltaic energy generation parks in Brazil, with an installed capacity of 766 MWp and an energy production capacity of 1,6 GWh/year.
Operations are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2022, and Vale is investing approximately US$500 million in implementing the project, around R$2,6 billion at the current exchange rate. “Vale was honored to have contributed to this important strategic decision by WEG, which will not only serve the Sol do Cerrado Project, but will also contribute to the technological development of Minas Gerais,” said Marco Braga, Vale’s supply director.
WEG will supply electric power stations with central solar inverters, which are responsible for transforming the energy generated by the photovoltaic modules, allowing it to be made available in the Brazilian electrical system for distribution and consumption. “These devices are entirely developed and manufactured in Brazil. The production of these electric power stations will already take place in our new factory in Betim”, explains Manfred Peter Johann, CEO of WEG Automation.
What are electrocenters?
Also called Power House or Power Control Room, the main function of electrical centers is to solve installation problems in large and difficult-to-access projects.
Basically, they are rooms made up of modular metal structures, designed and assembled with load distribution centers, electrical s, air conditioning system, lighting, fire detection and fighting, control and automation, all integrated into the same solution.
It is a concept that can be applied in different areas and is increasingly present in industrial sectors, especially in mining and civil construction companies and on maritime platforms.
