Electric sector is main bet of German group in Brazil
Valor Econômico
Prepared to grow every year in the "green" segment, Siemens sees great potential to increase its business in Brazil in the coming years. Great part of this expectation is due to the fact the country is "naturally" inclined towards it, mainly in the energy sector. World leader in hydroelectric energy, the country should consolidate its clean energy matrix with advances in Aeolian energy generation and cogeneration with the sugarcane bagasse and other residues from the agroindustry. "We already had a green portfolio in Brazil before the world reorientation because this is our vocation", says Adilson Primo, CEO of Siemens Brasil.
According to the officer, the "green" portfolio of the company represents nearly 20% to 25% of the total. In percentages, it is bigger than the group's. With the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC, in Portuguese), the businesses in this segment may grow even more, since almost all projects have a "green" content. The great expectation of the group, however, is in the wind energy sector. Siemens Brasil is waiting for the results of the first competitive bid of wind energy, to occur in November, in order to make a decision: erect its first aeolian industrial park, in case of a positive result.
Another bet of the group is in the sector of cogeneration with the sugarcane bagasse. The strategy of the company is to enter into technological partnerships with universities, research institutes and local companies in order to develop specific solutions for this market. One of the most successful partnerships has been the one entered into with the Dedini basic industry, from Piracicaba (SP), for the process of automation of the sugar and alcohol plants.
According to Primo, the Brazilian branch of Siemens has continuously invested in the country, throughout the last ten years, nearly R$ 120 (US$ 67) to R$ 140 million (US$ 78 million) a year. "This is much more than the average of the national companies. Siemens invests nearly € 4 billion a year worldwide. I don't know if Brazil invests that much". The great problem, adds the officer, continues being the lack of an innovative culture. "Brazil is a country that does not innovate much. The Brazilian companies do not have the DNA of innovation and that is the great advantage of a country like Germany", says the officer.