Brazil: Gamesa and the government of Bahía have signed a collaboration agreement designed to drive regional innovation in renewable energy

Gamesa, a global technology leader in wind energy, and the government of Bahía (Brazil) signed a memorandum of understanding in Zamudio (Vizcaya, Spain) for the joint promotion of innovation and skills training in the renewable energy arena in this region of Brazil.

The signing ceremony was attended by Rui Costa, Governor of the State of Bahía, Jorge Hereda, the Governor's Secretary for Economic Development, Manoel Mendonça, Secretary for Science and Technology and Paulo Guimarães, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development. Gamesa was duly represented by Ignacio Martín, Gamesa's Chairman, Xabier Etxeberria, Business CEO, José Antonio Cortajarena, General Secretary and Corporate CEO, and Jon Lezamiz, Director of Institutional Relations.

Notably among the projects encompassed by the agreement, Gamesa and the Government of Bahía will work together to implement Gamesa University which will specialise in training professionals to carry out wind turbine operation and maintenance services. This centre, which may be up and running as early as 2016, would cater to over 200 people a year.

In addition, this collaboration agreement envisages the possibility of setting up a wind turbine testing unit associated with a public university from Bahía, as well as implementation of laboratories for certifying Gamesa equipment in order to boost the transfer of wind energy know-how to the region. The alliance will also encompass agreements with universities and vocational training centres in Bahía, similarly to foster know-how and innovation.

"This alliance highlights Gamesa's strategic long term commitment to Brazil and very particularly the state of Bahía, one of the country's windiest regions, by demonstrating once again our commitment to this community's economic and social development, specifically by committing resources to vocational training, technological development and innovation, the crucial drivers of stable and skilled job creation for the region", remarked Ignacio Martín, Chairman of Gamesa.

"This agreement with Gamesa is an important initiative, particularly for the generation of jobs and wealth and the provision of wind turbine operation and maintenance skills training", explained Rui Costa, Governor of the State Bahía.

After the signing ceremony, the Governor, Rui Costa, and the other delegates from the various institutions represented, visited Gamesa's factory in Asteasu (Guipúzcoa), which specialises in the manufacture of gearboxes.

Gamesa in Brazil

Gamesa began to operate in Brazil in 2011 when it started up a production facility in Camaçari, in the state of Bahía, which it recently expanded. Since then it has emerged as one of the country's leading OEMs, having already installed over 1,000 MW and with a pipeline of firm orders for the installation of a further 1,500 MW in the years to come. It also services close to 700 MW for various customers under O&M agreements.

In 2014, Brazil accounted for 22% of Gamesa's total revenue from turbine sales. In addition, during these last four years, Gamesa has invested over €35 million in Brazil, nurturing a competitive local supply chain of over 1,000 suppliers in the process.