Vestas, the world’s leading supplier of wind power technology, and Methanex, the global leader in methanol production, signed a joint agreement to collaborate on global and regional wind turbines development during an official ceremony yesterday in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Two years ago, Methanex used Vestas technology to develop the Cabo Negro Wind Farm in Magallanes, Chile, in order to increase their energy security and ensure more sustainable operations through the use of clean energy. Methanex’s decision to invest in wind was motivated by the excellent wind resources in the region – which provide an independent, reliable and competitive source of energy – together with their corporate commitment to sustainability.
The agreement between Vestas and Methanex defines the framework for further cooperation between both companies to establish a baseline for the development of future wind farm projects in/or around Methanex´s global production facilities; to support and advise Methanex in the development of new wind power projects around the world; and to help build a robust renewable energy regulation in the Magallanes Region – contributing to the diversification of its energy mix.
This agreement was signed by Roger Neumann, Manufacture Vice President Methanex Latin America; Morten Albaek, Vestas’ Senior Vice President, Global MarCom & Customer Insight, and Marcelo Tokman, Vice President of Vestas South America (excl. Brazil).
Methanex facilities in Chile are located in the Region of Magallanes, where the company plays a key role in the community. Paul Schiodz, General Manager, Methanex Chile, says: “The success of our wind energy farm in Magallanes demonstrates the role that wind energy can play in the regional energy matrix. The agreement with Vestas should contribute to establish a robust regulatory framework to incentivize wind energy in the region”.
“Producing methanol is an energy intensive process. With the Cabo Negro wind farm, Methanex has shown both their creativity in finding a business model that reduces its consumption of natural gas and their commitment to act in an environmentally responsible manner. We are very proud that Methanex has decided to take this partnership with us to the next level. It is Vestas’ wish to become Methanex´s global partner on wind energy solutions,” says Morten Albæk, Vestas Global Senior Vice President, Global MarCom & Customer insight.
“Methanex has demonstrated the potential that wind energy has for Magallanes, a region increasingly dependent on scarce natural gas supply. This agreement, amongst others, is an excellent opportunity to put our strengths to work together for a better energy regulation in Magallanes,” says Marcelo Tokman, Vice President, Vestas South America (excl. Brazil).
Methanex is the world’s largest supplier of methanol to major international markets in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. As a global enterprise, Methanex has manufacturing, marketing and supply chain capabilities in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and throughout the Asia Pacific region. Methanex’s facilities in Chile are located in the Region of Magallanes.
Cabo Negro Wind Farm
In 2008, Methanex started to explore the feasibility of developing a wind power plant to secure energy supply at their methanol facility in Magallanes in Chile at competitive and stable costs. Two years later, in 2010, Methanex inaugurated its first wind farm called Cabo Negro which includes three Vestas V52-850 kW turbines with a combined capacity of 2.55 MW connected to the internal generation system at the Methanex plant, increasing its capacity from 36 MW to 38.5 MW. The capacity factor of the wind farm in 2011 was 53 per cent, which represents an estimated annual production of 10,722 MW. This wind power plant produces clean energy and contributes to making Methanex’s operations cleaner and more sustainable, saving approximately 12,204 metric tons of CO2 per year. After the success of their first wind farm in Chile, Methanex is sharing these learnings internally to explore if there are further opportunities within the company to develop new wind power plants in order to power other production units around the world, as part of their overall energy sourcing and environmental strategy.
Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 46,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by approximately 55 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has delivered wind energy in 69 countries, providing jobs for over 20,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world. With 66.9 per cent more megawatts installed than our closest competitor and more than 50,000 MW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.
Vestas has been present in Latin America since 1990. As of 31 December 2011, Vestas had delivered a total capacity of more than 600 MW to Latin American countries, and it had a total of firm and unconditional orders close to 2,000 MW in the Latin America region. Today, Vestas employs 130 people in Latin America and plays an active role in establishing a supply chain of local sub-suppliers delivering products and services at the different phases of the development of a wind power plant and creating local high-quality green jobs in the region.
