WEG, a global manufacturer of integrated energy systems, has announced the construction of a new manufacturing plant dedicated to battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The facility will be among the most advanced in the country within this segment and represents a strategic expansion of the company’s energy transition portfolio.
To enable the project, WEG secured BRL 280 million in financing through the BNDES More Innovation programme, approved under a public call focused on the transformation of strategic minerals for energy transition and decarbonisation, in partnership with Finep.
Construction of the new plant is scheduled to begin shortly, with completion planned for the second half of 2027. Once operational, the facility will generate approximately 90 direct jobs and expand WEG’s BESS production capacity to up to 2 GWh per year, equivalent to around 400 systems of 5 MWh.
The site will feature a high level of automation, including automatic and semi-automatic assembly lines, alongside the use of autonomous mobile robots for internal logistics. It will also house a dedicated laboratory for product testing, development and qualification, supporting process improvement, quality assurance and the accelerated development of new technologies. An electrical substation will enable simulation of real operating conditions.
“With this step, WEG expands its portfolio of high value-added solutions, developed and manufactured in Brazil, and contributes to strengthening energy security and the resilience of our grid,” said Alberto Kuba, president of WEG. “This investment is aligned with the strategic objective of positioning WEG and Brazil more competitively in the global energy transition landscape, mitigating risks and strengthening the country’s presence in this growing segment.”
BESS play a critical role in supporting grid stability, particularly as the share of renewable generation such as solar and wind continues to grow. By storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it when required, BESS improve system reliability and reduce the risk of outages.
The announcement builds on WEG’s previously disclosed investment plan of approximately BRL 1.1 billion through to 2028, focused on expanding its product portfolio and increasing WEG Energia’s production capacity. This includes the construction of another new manufacturing site, budgeted at BRL 900 million, and the expansion of existing operations in Jaraguá do Sul with an investment of BRL 160 million.
The new manufacturing site will be dedicated to large-scale equipment production in Brazil, including synchronous condensers of up to 330 MVAr, turbogenerators up to 200 MVA and high-speed induction motors. This will expand WEG’s service scope for motors, generators and hydraulic turbines up to 300 MVA. Together, these investments reinforce WEG’s ability to deliver scalable, technically robust and project-ready solutions to support the global energy transition.
For more information about WEG’s BESS technology and wider energy transition portfolio, visit the website.
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