The UFV Irecê Phase 1 project is being carried out by a joint venture formed by Illian Energias Renováveis — a company of the Electra Group focused on renewable generation and energy transition — together with Acelen and Perfin Infra, for the construction of the solar complex, which will have an installed capacity of 161 MWp (megawatt-peak). The project is expected to avoid the emission of approximately 128 thousand tons of CO₂ per year.
In addition to its sustainable objective, the construction of the plant also contributes to the socioeconomic development of the region through the creation of more than 500 jobs during the construction phase. The project is part of a strategy aimed at cost reduction, energy source diversification, and increased competitiveness for the power supply of the Mataripe Refinery, under a self-production model.
As a global reference in renewable energy solutions, WEG is responsible for manufacturing the equipment and providing the services that integrate the step-up substation of the Irecê Solar Photovoltaic Complex, located in the state of Bahia.
The supply scope includes a Three-Phase Step-Up Transformer rated at 160 MVA (34.5/138 kV), essential for connecting the solar plant to the National Interconnected System (SIN). The equipment was installed at the Uberlândia 138 kV Collector/Step-Up Substation in the municipality of João Dourado (BA), and at the 138 kV Connection Bay of the Irecê CHESF Substation in Irecê (BA).
Featuring state-of-the-art technology, the transformer supplied by WEG stands out for a key innovation: it is equipped with two Merging Units, responsible for digitizing all digital and analog signals of the equipment. This innovation replaces traditional control cables with optical fibers, ensuring benefits such as:
- Greater agility during design and implementation phases;
- Reduced costs with cabling and infrastructure;
- Easier future expansions and modifications;
- Increased system reliability and redundancy in monitoring;
- Larger volume of data available for supervision and control.
In addition to this solution, WEG is also responsible for supplying all yard equipment for the Uberlândia Substation and the Irecê Connection Bay, such as Disconnect Switches, Potential Transformers (PT), Current Transformers (CT), Surge Arresters, as well as the Protection and Control System, its detailed engineering, and the services of Assembly Supervision and Commissioning under the Shop List regime — reinforcing WEG’s role as a strategic partner for the successful energization of the substation.
WEG’s contribution to this project enables the voltage generated by the inverters to be stepped up to transmission levels, ensuring efficiency, stability, and reliability in delivering renewable energy to the national grid. This reinforces the company’s commitment — alongside its clients, such as Illian Energias Renováveis — to developing solutions that drive energy transition and sustainability in Brazil.
