Celesc wants to double its power generation by 2015.

Celesc wants to double its energy generation by 2015 and is studying projects for energy generation from Biomass.
The Celesc generation company (Centrais Elétricas de Santa Catarina) plans to more than double its installed energy capacity by 2015. The forecast is for the company to increase from the current 81.15 MW of production to 201.21 in up to five years.

To achieve this goal, Celesc relies on Small Hydroelectric Power Plants (PCHs) projects, increasing the capacity of existing machines, and expanding its generating park. For this, projects for wind and biomass energy generation will be evaluated. The estimated investment value for the expansion has not been disclosed.

The new PCH projects are being carried out in partnership with private investors and through Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) in which Celesc is a minority shareholder, with stakes of up to 40%. The company has already identified nine PCH projects and has participation in seven SPEs, totaling 61.47 MW of capacity. This year, the company budgeted R$ 55 million for generation, with most of it allocated to these projects.

According to Celesc's Director of Institutional Relations and Investor Relations, André Luiz de Rezende, these projects were identified through a public call. Rezende states that "many investors have already conducted studies on water use, but do not have the security to make the investments alone, and Celesc can offer its know-how in implementation and maintenance".

According to Rezende, the company has already made a second public call, where 25 projects were submitted and three of them are being studied in depth. However, a decision still needs to go through the company's board of directors.