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Construction of the second largest Thermoelectric Power Plant in Ceará started, with an estimated generation of 1.700 jobs

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published 06/05/2023 às 12:51
Construction of the second largest Thermoelectric Power Plant in Ceará started, with an estimated generation of around 1.700 indirect jobs
Photo: Portocem Thermoelectric Plant (UTE)/Disclosure

Work began on the Portocem thermoelectric power plant in Ceará, which will have the capacity to generate 1,5 MW of energy. The project promises to generate thousands of jobs during its construction phase..

Work began for the construction of Portocem's Thermoelectric Plant (UTE), considered the second largest investment in the history of the state of Ceará. The project, which will bring several empregos to the region, will be built in São Gonçalo do Amarante, in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, and is already in full construction. It is estimated that the plant will begin its activities in 2026.

Thermoelectric power plant in Ceará receives R$ 5 billion in investments

The event to launch the cornerstone took place this Friday (5) and was attended by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the Governor of Ceará, Elmano de Freitas, as well as other authorities and businessmen.

A UTE Portocem is an investment of Ceiba Energy, a North American group, in the amount of around R$ 5 billion. The venture, which will create several jobs, has a capacity of 1.572 MW and will be built in an area of ​​39,5 hectares in Sector 2 of the Ceará Export Processing Zone (ZPE Ceará), which makes up the Pecém complex.

With construction of the Ceará thermal power plant, it is estimated that around 1.700 jobs during its construction phase, which will last approximately 39 months. Implementation works are planned, which include the development of structures, in addition to the assembly of mechanical and electrical equipment.

When completed, Portocem's thermoelectric plant will bring even more safety to the National Interconnected System (SIN), developed to operate at times of low water level in hydroelectric reservoirs, low intensity of sunlight (solar generation) and low wind speed (which harms wind generation).

UTE Portocem is the biggest winner of the Power Capacity Reserve Auction

Portocem was the biggest winner of the 1st Power Capacity Reserve Auction held by the National Electric Energy Agency and Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE) in 2021, for the contracting of a power reserve for the National Interconnected System (SIN) .

The grant by the Ministry of Mines and Energy was given in August of the last year and the contract with the CCEE in November of the same year with a duration of 15 years. The Ceará thermoelectric power plant, which will bring thousands of jobs, will consist of 4 simple cycle generating turbines, powered by natural gas, the Portocem plant will have an 8 km transmission line that will connect the plant to the SIN through the Pecém Substation two.

UTE Portocem will receive natural gas from a floating Storage and Regasification unit (FSRU) that will be chartered by Portocem and will be permanently moored within the sheltered area of ​​the Port of Pecém. It is worth noting that in March, company executives attended a meeting with the state governor, Elmano de Freitas, to address details of the project.

New thermoelectric plant in Ceará will bring 1,7 jobs

According to Roman Días, CEO of Portocem, the company is happy with the partnership and selected world-class equipment when choosing Mitsubishi Power and a builder with extensive experience in the development of this type of project. Consag will contribute to the transformation of Ceará into an essential natural gas hub in Latin America, attracting several other investments in the sector.

The construction of UTE Portocem is expected to generate 1.700 indirect jobs during construction and, when it goes into operation, the venture will also create new jobs in technical positions for specialized professionals and operators or maintainers.

Valdemar Medeiros

Journalist in training, specialist in creating content with a focus on SEO actions. Writes about the Automotive Industry, Renewable Energy and Science and Technology

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