Vestas has announced that it will refocus efforts in the Brazilian market by implementing a new roadmap for profitable growth in the country.
The Danish firm will invest up to €32 million in meeting local requirements, prioritising initiatives that enable them to compete more effectively in the local wind industry.
Vestas will localise 70 per cent of hub and nacelle manufacturing for 2MW turbines at their facility near Fortaleza in the north-eastern state of Ceará, allowing for production levels in excess of 400 MW per year, with the possibility of reaching up to 800 MW. Blade and tower production will also be sourced locally in order to comply with the requirements.
Jean-Marc Lechêne, Vestas Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Global Sourcing said;
We are delighted to announce our plan to ramp up operations in Brazil to comply with local requirements, Brazil is one of the most competitive and fastest-growing markets in the world. We are confident these investments will meet local content requirements and position Vestas as a key player in the Brazilian market.
Vestas has a long track record in Brazil having sold almost 1,000 MW and the company aims to participate in the upcoming auctions for projects throughout 2014. Given the planned increase in manufacturing output, they expect to create up to 300 direct jobs in Brazil and an estimated 1,500 indirect jobs in the coming months, with the possibility of producing turbines for export to the rest of Latin America.