Suez subsidiary Tractebel Engineering has acquired Brazilian firm BC Projectos, an engineering company specialising in cogeneration and thermal power generation installations.
The deal is a sign of the growing importance of Brazil on the world energy platform and follows in the footsteps of Areva, which earlier this year bought a majority stake in Brazilian renewable energy developer Koblitz.
Tractebel says that the acquisition will strengthen its technical competence base in Brazil, where its subsidiary Leme Engenharia is primarily oriented towards hydropower and power transmission network projects. BC Projectos designed the first combined cycle plant in Brazil and delivers services to prominent customers such as Petrobras, Electrobras, Endesa, Alstom and Total.
Brazil has implemented a programme to support the development of major infrastructure projects – including power generation plants – in order to boost the economy. The government recently revised electricity demand growth rate forecasts, reflecting strong growth in the country’s economy.
