Acquisition is part of the growth strategy in energy security assets and South American integration
Âmbar Energia, a company of the J&F group, announced the signing of a contract for the purchase of 81.2% of the Araucária Thermoelectric Power Plant (UTE Araucária), located in the municipality of the same name, in Paraná. The asset belongs to Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Copel) and Copel Geração e Transmissão S.A., and was traded for R$ 320.7 million. Âmbar’s strategic investment represents the company’s ongoing commitment to the country’s energy security.
UTE Araucária is a natural gas-fired generation facility with an installed capacity of 484.15 megawatts (MW), operating in a combined cycle with two gas turbines and one steam turbine. Since its inauguration in 2002, the Araucária TPP has played a vital role in the production of energy for the national interconnected system.
“The incorporation of UTE Araucária strengthens our solid commitment to the country’s energy security, contributing to ensuring a stable and reliable supply of energy throughout the energy transition process,” said Marcelo Zanatta, president of Âmbar Energia.
In terms of natural gas-fired generation assets, Âmbar already owned the Cuiabá TPP, connected by its own gas pipelines to the Bolivian basins, and the Uruguaiana TPP, integrated into Argentina’s gas reserves. The Araucária TPP, on the other hand, is connected by pipelines to the gas reserves of Brazil and Bolivia.
“With this acquisition, we have expanded our presence in the South American energy system and our strategic position as a generator and trader of energy from diversified sources,” says Zanatta.
Âmbar, which operates in the generation and commercialization of energy and in the transportation of gas, now has a total generation capacity of 2.3 gigawatts (GW) with this transaction.
The closing of the transaction is subject to conditions precedent customary in this type of contract, such as regulatory approvals. Petrobras, which holds the remaining 18.8% of the Araucária TPP, will be able to adhere to Âmbar’s proposal until February 26, 2024.
