EN 
PT_BR 
A partnership signed between the companies WEG and Vale will begin the production of solar electric centers in Minas Gerais, aiming at the technological development of the state.
Under the agreement, it was defined that WEG's new industrial unit, installed in the municipality of Betim (MG), will be responsible for manufacturing 69 central solar electrocenters for Vale.
The equipment will be delivered from 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 venture will occupy an area of 1,200 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.
The start of operations is scheduled for the second half of 2022 and Vale's investment in implementing the project is approximately US$ 500 million, approximately R$ 2.6 billion, at the current exchange rate.
“Vale felt honored to have collaborated in this important strategic decision by WEG, which will not only serve the Sol do Cerrado Project, but will contribute to the technological development of Minas Gerais”, highlights Marco Braga, Vale's supply director.
WEG will provide electrocenters with central solar inverters, responsible for transforming the energy generated in photovoltaic modules, allowing it to be made available in the Brazilian electrical system for distribution and consumption.
“This equipment is entirely developed and manufactured in Brazil. The production of these electrocenters will already take place in our new factory in Betim”, explains Manfred Peter Johann, superintendent director of WEG Automação.
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 panels, 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.
