Boa Vista is the largest Brazilian city north of the equator, and is separated from the rest of the country by the nearly impenetrable Amazon rainforest. Isolation from the national power grid, aging and failing equipment, and the region’s increasing need for power made brownouts common and power rationing a necessity. Additional, reliable power was needed quickly.
In eight short weeks, a nearby substation was developed to supply more than 40 MW of power from 32 containerized Cat® 3516A and 3516B diesel generator sets as a temporary, two-year fix. Meeting the long-term power needs of the region and obtaining government permits presented more challenges. Climate conditions were factored in and a source for reliable delivery to the remote location was found. Requirements for low emissions, low noise, excellent voltage, and frequency control were met.
