Chinese energy technology company Envision Energy is considering building a factory in Brazil to produce batteries and wind turbines, an executive told Reuters. The company says local manufacturing would depend on interest from the Brazilian government, including possible tax incentives and exemptions on import duties for equipment and technologies not yet established in the local market.
Marcello Trombelli, Envision’s director of solutions and institutional and government relations in Brazil, said the company is in contact with state and federal authorities to present how its technologies could support the country’s power system. He made the comments on the sidelines of the Brazil Windpower event.
Envision is relatively new to Brazil. Last year, it outlined plans for the country that included a sustainable aviation fuel plant. In January, it announced its first major local deal: an agreement to supply 630 megawatts of wind turbines and other services to renewable energy company Casa dos Ventos. The turbines for that contract will be imported.
The company is also seeking opportunities in battery storage and has offered products to businesses interested in taking part in Brazil’s first auction to procure the technology for the power system. Trombelli said Envision is pursuing local partnerships as part of a strategy to meet expectations for domestic content in the battery energy storage system, or BESS, auction.
Other Chinese storage companies, including Jinko ESS and CATL, have partnered with Brazilian firms to localize projects ahead of the auction, which is scheduled for December. BYD has announced an investment of up to 500 million reais to produce BESS in Brazil.
Sources: Folha Mercado.