- Wärtsilä and Origem Energia will deploy 36 balancing engines for new power projects in Brazil, supporting grid reliability as renewable energy capacity expands.
- The projects strengthen Brazil’s flexible power infrastructure, using domestic natural gas resources and underground gas storage to improve energy security.
Wärtsilä has signed two equipment supply contracts with Origem Energia for new balancing power projects in Brazil. The agreements cover two batches of 18 Wärtsilä 34SG balancing engines, bringing the total to 36 engines.
Wärtsilä booked the first 18-engine order in Q1 2026 and the second batch in Q2 2026. The contracts follow Brazil’s Reserve Capacity Auction 2026 (LRCAP), the country’s largest contracted power auction, where Origem Energia secured major generation projects scheduled to begin operations between 2028 and 2029.
The projects include the Pilar and Pilar Nova power plants, which will start operations in October 2028, alongside the Manguaba I–V projects, expected to begin operations in August 2029. Wärtsilä will align equipment deliveries with the commissioning schedule of the plants. Together, the facilities will provide reliable and flexible capacity to strengthen Brazil’s power grid.
Furthermore, Luiz Felipe Coutinho said the projects will deliver balancing capacity that supports grid reliability as Brazil increases renewable energy generation. He added that the plants will play a critical role in meeting the country’s growing need for flexible power capacity.
Origem Energia will also use its onshore natural gas resources in the state of Alagoas to support the gas-to-wire projects. In addition, the company will deploy underground gas storage technology to improve operational flexibility and competitiveness.
Gaston Giani said the projects highlight the importance of combining flexibility, reliability, and efficiency to maintain power system security during renewable energy expansion.
The contracts strengthen Wärtsilä’s role in Brazil’s energy transition and reinforce its position as a strategic partner in integrating diverse energy sources while improving national energy security.