Yokogawa Wins Control System Order for Brazil’s Largest Biomass Power Plant

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (the Netherlands) has announced its subsidiary, Yokogawa America do Sul, has received an order from AREVA Renewables Brazil, a subsidiary of the French firm AREVA SA, to supply 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 São Desidério, Bahia, in the northeastern part of the country.

This biomass plant will have three power units with a total capacity of 150 MW, and will burn eucalyptus as its fuel. For this facility, Yokogawa will supply a CENTUM(R) VP integrated production control system, ProSafe(R)-RS safety instrumentation system, and other products. Yokogawa will also be responsible for engineering, and 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 thus an urgent need in such countries for the construction of power plants that utilise alternative energy sources. As Brazil is the world’s largest producer of eucalyptus pulp and sugar cane, biomass power plants that can utilise this energy source are a promising solution.

Yasuharu Shoda, President & CEO of Yokogawa America do Sul, commented, “Yokogawa has a solid track record in Brazil, having installed more than 500 of its control systems at a wide variety of industrial facilities. Yokogawa’s solutions help our customers operate their facilities safely and with a high degree of efficiency. 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”.

Yokogawa will continue to expand its business in the promising electric power market.