Power Generation Opportunities for Miners
STORY INLINE POST
Q: What importance does Mexico have for the WEG Group?
A: We are investing US$220 million in Mexico with new plants and offices. The Mexico plant will be used to service Canada, the US, Mexico, and Central America. We believe the mining sector will quickly bounce back from the difficult times it is experiencing. We have a solid position in Mexico and we have developed products that are specifically designed for the industry like copper bar rotors motors, which fit mining requirements. As the years progress, we see more opportunities to develop new products so we are constantly adding funding. We plan to invest around US$240 million to increase production capacity in Mexico. As a base to the US and Canada, several exclusive products will be built in Mexico. We have developed a number of manufacturing plants in our portfolio, going from just two buildings to eight. We also have a foundry for electric motors and even though we are currently buying cast iron from Brazil, we expect to be manufacturing all the components in Mexico within the next two years. Currently, we buy copper and aluminum in Mexico to build the motor, and the only component currently missing is cast iron. We have already begun the construction of this plant.
Q: How do your motors help boost efficiency and productivity for your clients?
A: At the moment, many mining operators are combining motors with drives in order to control the speed of the motor, allowing for a much more efficient system. We are now manufacturing the W50 three phase motor in Mexico and selling to a number of different industries. The W50 has seen a great deal of success since it offers the same horsepower as our older lines but in a smaller motor. Soon we will launch a line of new products called the W60, which will be manufactured in Mexico. While the W50 is a closed motor the W60 is an open motor, which is a different concept for certain applications. For instance, in a clean environment the W60 is more suitable, whereas in a tougher context the W50 would be more suited due to the closed design’s ability to protect the motor.
Q: Why should companies be adopting energy cogeneration techniques to generate power?
A: With an energy source that can be burned, cogeneration is possible. WEG on a global scale has a renewable energies division. Although this is not yet present in Mexico, there are plans to introduce a wind power division. In Brazil we have power quality analysis equipment that was developed over five years ago. We already have hydro generators and now we plan to expand to wind generation, which we expect to be sold to CFE.