WEG secures funding for Brazilian battery manufacturing plant

The Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has approved financing of R$280 million ($54 million) under the BNDES Mais Inovação program for WEG to renovate an existing plant and build a battery energy storage system (BESS) factory in Itajaí (SC), Brazil.

The new plant will increase WEG’s BESS production capacity to up to 2 GWh per year, equivalent to 400 units of 5 MWh systems. It will also introduce a more efficient cell-to-pack assembly architecture in Brazil, a technology already used by major global players to maximize system performance. Construction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.

WEG aims to serve both the large-scale storage market and the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, producing BESS systems locally to ensure greater technological autonomy and domestic support.

The factory will feature integrated automated and semi-automated assembly lines for final system assembly, with frequent internal movements handled by autonomous mobile robots. A support structure will also be established, including a testing and development laboratory, a power substation, and plant expansion. The laboratory will support process improvement, quality control, supervision with proprietary technology, and the development of new solutions, helping WEG enhance product knowledge and design customer-tailored solutions.

Alberto Kuba, WEG’s president, said:”With this step, WEG expands its offering of high value-added solutions developed and manufactured in Brazil, contributing to energy security and grid resilience. This investment aligns with our strategic goal of strengthening WEG’s and Brazil’s competitiveness in the global energy transition, mitigating risks and reinforcing our national presence in this growing segment.”

This is the first project contracted through the Public Call for Selection of Business Plans for Investments in the Transformation of Strategic Minerals for Energy Transition and Decarbonization, a joint initiative by BNDES and Finep. The new facility is expected to create 90 new jobs.

From pv magazine Brazil