Yokogawa wins order for Brazil's largest biomass power plant

Yokogawa America do Sul, a subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corp., has received an order from Areva Renewables Brazil, a subsidiary of France-based Areva, to deliver a control system for a biomass power plant that will be the largest facility of its type in Brazil.

The plant is being constructed by Bolt Energias in Sao Désiderio, Bahia, in the north eastern part of the country.

The facility will have three power units with a total capacity of 150MW, and will burn eucalyptus as its fuel. For this facility, Yokogawa will deliver the Centum VP integrated production control system, ProSafe-RS safety instrumentation system, and other products. Yokogawa will also be responsible for engineering and for providing installation support and commissioning for these products. The plant will be connected to the power grid in mid-2017.

Although Brazil and many other countries in South America have relied largely on hydroelectric power, this power source has been less reliable in recent years because of severe water shortages. There is therefore an urgent need in such countries for the construction of power plants that utilise alternate energy sources. As Brazil is the world's largest producer of eucalyptus pulp and sugarcane, biomass power plants that can utilise this energy source are a promising solution.

Yasuharu Shoda, president and CEO of Yokogawa America do Sul, says: 'Encouraged by this order, Yokogawa will continue to focus on the electric power and renewable energy fields in Brazil and other countries in South America, and will help to provide a stable energy supply.'