Alstom enters the Brazilian wind power market via installation of a wind turbine assembly factory in Bahia

Alstom today signed a memorandum of intent with the Government of the state of Bahia, Brazil, to install its first industrial wind turbine assembly facility in the country. 

The new facility, based in Bahia, will be dedicated to the assembly of wind turbines with an annual capacity of up to 300 MW per year. The estimated investment is R$ 50 million (approximately 20 million). Under the terms and conditions of the memorandum, the new wind turbine assembly facility could enter in operation in early 2011.

"With the installation of its first wind turbine assembly in the country, Alstom confirms its strategy in the region and its aim to become a key player in the Brazilian wind market. Brazils energy market has great potential for the production of alternative electricity, and Alstom has the technology and expertise needed to contribute to the development of the wind energy sector, said Philippe Cochet, President of Alstom Hydro and Wind.

Alstom, with its global renewables portfolio, is consolidating its leadership in the Brazilian renewable energy market. This wind turbine assembly facility, Alstoms first in the country, puts us firmly on the Brazilian wind market map, underlines Marcos Costa, Head of Power, Alstom Brazil.

"The symbolism of the creation of Alstoms first wind turbine assembly facility in the State of Bahia is very significant. Besides being an international icon in areas of transport and energy, this is a milestone in our integration into the renewable energy industry. We will have the opportunity to attract investment and technology transfer in the wind industry, and add new tax revenue and more jobs for Bahia," added the Brazilian Secretary of Industry, Commerce and Mining, James Correia.

Alstom believes in the wind as a viable source of clean energy and to help reduce emissions of CO2 and other pollutants that harm the environment. The company has operations in wind energy in several countries.

About Alstom  

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind. The Group employs 81,500 people in 70 countries, and had orders of 24,6 billion in 2008/09.

Alstom Wind designs, assembles and installs a wide range of onshore wind turbines spanning 1.67 MW to 3MW. The company has taken a significant part of the development of the Spanish wind energy market, which is ranked second in Europe. Alstom Wind currently generates about 50% of its sales from other European countries. To date, it has installed over 1600 wind turbines in 94 wind farms, corresponding to a total capacity of over 1800 MW (about 2% of the worldwide installed base).

Press Contacts (Alstom)  

Alstom Power
Adriana Cardoso (+55) 11 3612 7079 adriana.cardoso@power.alstom.com
Susanne Shields (+33) 1 41 49 27 22, susanne.shields@power.alstom.com

Press Contacts (Government of Bahia)
ASCOM Assessoria de Comunicação
Nestor Mendes Júnior: nexthormendes@gmail.com / (+55) 71 3115-6451