WEG - Experts & Thought Leaders

WEG announced the signing of a supply contract with Kroma Energia, in an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model, for the Arapuá photovoltaic solar energy generation complex, valued at approximately R$ 630 million. The scope of supply includes photovoltaic modules, trackers, inverters, power substation, and connection bay with the local utility, involving complete engineering and electromechanical assembly, with commercial operation expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Estimated annual production The project will have an installed capacity of 250 MWp, located in Vale do Jaguaribe, in the municipality of Jaguaruana - CE, Brazil, with an estimated annual production of 537 GWh.  "This contract symbolizes the relevance and scale of this project, in addition to reinforcing our commitment to energy transition and sustainable development in the country," highlights Manfred Peter Johann, Managing Director of Automation at WEG. "This partnership with WEG represents a crucial milestone for the construction of the Arapuá Complex, reinforcing our commitment to energy transition and sustainability. We are proud to take this decisive step and confident in the lasting benefits it will bring to Brazil's energy future," emphasizes Rodrigo Mello, CEO of Kroma Energia.

WEG has different laboratories in its structure for testing and evaluating the products it develops. WEG's electrical testing laboratory for motors within the power range from 0.10 kW to 400 kW and voltage up to 1000 V in Jaraguá do Sul/SC is one of them, annually audited by globally recognized organizations, such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Underwriter Laboratories (UL). This laboratory recently achieved accreditation under the ISO 17025 standard from the INMETRO General Accreditation Coordination (CGCRE), attesting to the level of excellence of the activities conducted, and enabling WEG to provide accredited test reports with worldwide recognition. Testing and calibration laboratories Abroad, WEG’s Mexico laboratory already has this accreditation from EMA (Mexican Accreditation Entity) Abroad, WEG’s Mexico laboratory already has this accreditation from EMA (Mexican Accreditation Entity), and WEG Euro’s laboratory in Portugal is in the process of obtaining it from IPAC (Portuguese Accreditation Institute). ISO 17025 is an exclusive standard for testing and calibration laboratories that determines the laboratory's technical competence to perform its activities accurately and obtain valid, high-quality and reliable results. To achieve accreditation under this standard, laboratories undergo rigorous evaluations, which guarantees their international level. Mutual recognition agreements With accreditation, the laboratory begins to benefit from the international mutual recognition agreements that INMETRO has with ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation), validating the maxim: ‘Tested once, accepted anywhere.’ For WEG, this certification emphasizes the ongoing commitment to improving the quality and reliability of tests, reinforcing the international recognition of its technical competence. Laboratory accreditation according to ISO 17025 is a global seal of credibility and trust.

The company - WEG has started producing medium voltage (MV) soft starters at one of its facilities in South Africa, reducing delivery times for customers and boosting local manufacturing. The SSW7000 soft starters are produced at WEG's manufacturing unit in South Africa, with high-efficiency standards. The SSW7000 line is well recognized in the market and widely used in pump and fan applications in the mining segment. WEG's soft starters With the growing demand for WEG's medium voltage soft starters in recent years, customers can now benefit from the local manufacturing of these products. One immediate benefit is the reduced delivery time. The use of soft starters has become evident as users seek ways to reduce electricity costs The use of soft starters has become evident as users seek ways to reduce electricity costs, protect their electric motors, and increase their operational cycle. Soft starters allow for a smooth acceleration of electric motors, reducing the peak current during startup. Motors with a conventional direct start can reach up to 700% of their nominal current, while a soft starter can reduce the starting current to only 300%. Customer application requirements Local manufacturing increases the ability to customize medium voltage soft starters, with units designed to meet specific customer application requirements, as was the case with a recent project for a mining customer in Angola. The package with 11 units was delivered in modules that could be easily transported and installed on-site for quick commissioning. In addition to reducing starting current, the SSW7000 soft starter line, includes monitoring features capable of protecting the electric motor against overheating or excessive current consumption.