Vestas stated that it may choose to remain in Aquiraz, where it has assembled nacelles for the V110-2.0MW in the past, or it may go elsewhere in Ceará.
It signed the framework agreement with the governor of Ceará, Camilo Sobreira de Santana.
Rogério Zampronha, general manager for Vestas Brazil, said the company’s decision to stay in Ceará was motivated by its proximity to the Port of Pecém, and "the business-friendly environment" and "high quality labour" in the north-eastern state.
Ceará also borders Rio Grande do Norte, where the manufacturer will install 24 units of the V150-4.2MW for a wind farm owned by Brazilian energy company Echoenergia.
Vestas claims the turbine, which it first unveiled in June 2017, is "very suitable for the country’s most prevailing wind conditions".
The Danish company added that planned investments in the new nacelle production setup will total approximately €23 million (BRL 97.3 million) and could create 200 direct jobs and 800 indirect jobs.
Investments and manufacturing in Brazil will help Vestas to comply with local content requirements.
The Brazilian development bank’s (BNDES’) Finame II rules require local content to account for 70% of hub, nacelle, tower and blade manufacturing.
Vestas has installed just over 1.5GW of its turbines in Brazil, according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly. It has orders for a further 153.8MW.
