Brazil. Tractebel Energia S.A.

The loan totalling the equivalent in Brazilian Reais of USD 70 million has been provided for four wind farms in the state of Ceará in the north-eastern region of Brazil.

Tractebel Energia S.A. plans to install 50 wind turbines with a total capacity of 115.4 MW. The turbines will be supplied by Siemens Wind Power. The wind farms are expected to be in commercial operation during the first half of 2013. The energy produced will be provided to large industrial customers in Brazil.

Tractebel is the largest private electricity generator in Brazil with an installed capacity of 6,908 MW, representing 6.6% of the total domestic installed generation capacity. The generation portfolio consists of hydropower (80%), thermal power (17%), and complementary power (3%), such as wind farms and bio-fuelled plants. The French-Belgian multinational GDF SUEZ holds a controlling stake of 67.8% of Tractebel’s capital through its fully owned subsidiary.

Siemens Wind Power, with R&D and main production in Denmark, will supply 50 SWT 2.3-101 wind turbines to Tractebel’s wind farms. This is Tractebel’s first order of wind turbines from Siemens Wind Power and the project may support future deliveries by enhancing the reference value of Siemens in Brazil. The sales of wind turbines also support the company’s ongoing manufacturing and R&D in Denmark. The project is expected to help decrease the annual global emission of CO2 by 176,000 tonnes.

Windmill parks are considered to constitute exceptional cases of public interest. State authorities have issued permits for construction in the dune area, and the intervention will be closely monitored. A windmill park has low potential for environmental impact during its operational phase. Flora and fauna are not expected to be negatively impacted by the project.