LM Wind Power announces expansion in Brazil

The wind energy development in the northeast of Brazil is predicted to contribute to the generation of 1,500 direct jobs with an overall investment of 100 million reais.

LM Wind Power will join companies such as the Argentine turbine manufacturer IMPSA, tower manufacturer RM Wind and Iraeta, a company that produces flanges which also has a factory under construction in the Pernambuco complex.

LM Wind Power, the world’s leading independent manufacturer of blades for wind turbines, today confirmed its plans to expand the company’s position in the Americas through the construction of a new blade manufacturing facility in Brazil. The factory will be established in conjunction with LM Wind Power’s joint venture partner Eólice and will deliver blades to wind farms in Brazil and throughout South America.

The location for LM Wind Power’s first factory in Brazil will be in the port of Suape, near Recife in the State of Pernambuco, which has been developed for the manufacture of wind energy equipment and components, covering the entire value chain of the wind industry.

Adjacent to a world class port with a strong local workforce, the new blade manufacturing facility will be ideally located to serve major wind farms in the North East of Brazil and beyond. The factory will be based on LM Wind Power’s proven modular factory concept recently used for construction of its factories in the USA, Poland, and China, and employing up to 300 people, plus more in the local supply chain. It is expected that blade production will commence in September 2013, and agreements with customers have already been finalized.

In addition to the agreements already signed, LM Wind Power is currently in advanced negotiations with a number of wind turbine manufacturers who have expressed a need for larger blades between 40 and 70 meters in length for future wind power auctions.

Leo Schot, CEO of LM Wind Power, commented:

“A number of strategic customers have asked LM Wind Power, as the global market leader, to support their efforts in developing the market for wind energy in Brazil and throughout Latin America. We are pleased to make this announcement which confirms our commitment to our customers, so that they can use our technology and innovation to harness wind energy profitably and with maximum operational reliability. We are also very happy to be working with a professional and engaged partner in Eólice, which will handle the
infrastructure side of the venture.”

http://www.lmwindpower.com/