Mitsui, Energy Advance Acquire Gas Service Business in Brazil

Mitsui & Co and Energy Advance Co, which is a 100% subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., are participating in energy service business utilizing a natural gas based cogeneration system (heat and power co-supply system) in Brazil.

Mitsui and ENAC agreed to acquire all of the shares of the holding company of Ecogen Brasil Soluções Energéticas S.A. through a jointly – established investment subsidiary, and the shareholders of Ecogen’s holding company and the investment company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement on Nov. 14th.

Ecogen is the biggest energy service provider in Brazil, which mainly utilizes natural gas based facilities. The company provides the engineering of a natural gas cogeneration system which meets customers’ energy requirements, and also long-term rental, operation and maintenance service to shopping malls, commercial buildings, hotels and so on principally in urban areas such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Mitsui and ENAC aim to lead Ecogen to further growth by meeting the needs of industrial clients which have potential demand for cogeneration due to their huge thermal requirements, in addition to the commercial customers which are Ecogen’s main clients at present.

To improve the corporate value of Ecogen, Mitsui will utilize the knowledge of its 100% subsidiary Mitsui Gás e Energia do Brasil Ltda., which has shares in local gas distribution companies in seven Brazilian states, and ENAC will provide the technical and commercial know-how related to the operation and maintenance of the cogeneration system, which it has accumulated through experience in Japan.

Demand for natural gas cogeneration systems in Brazil is predicted to increase, which will be associated with the enhancement of gas supply due to the plan to go into full-scale gas production from the offshore gas field in the local pre-salt layer from 2017.

While Mitsui undertakes this project to enhance its gas value chain business in Brazil, one of its strategically important regions, ENAC will address it as the first foreign energy service project of the Tokyo Gas group, which is consistent with the group’s aims in its “Challenge 2020 Vision”.

Mitsui and ENAC will contribute to Brazil’s economic growth and improvement of the natural environment by providing clean energy supply services in Brazil and introducing highly – functional and highly – efficient Japanese facilities related to cogeneration systems.

*A system which generates power using a gas turbine or a gas engine fueled by natural gas, and simultaneously recovers the exhaust heat to utilize it for the production of steam or heat for air-conditioning. Since the system generates electricity and utilizes exhaust heat at the same time, it achieves highly efficient energy use. Ecogen installs at its clients’ sites its own cogeneration system, which is designed to accommodate customers’ requirements, and provides long-term rental of facilities, operation and maintenance.

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LNG World News Staff, November 15, 2012; Image: Ecogen Brasil