Diesel Electric Propulsion – CAT Starts Brazil Genset Production

Diesel electric propulsion generators for offshore users now in full production at Caterpillar's new Brazil facilty

Caterpillar says their 3500C Diesel Electric Propulsion (DEP) generator sets have entered full production at the Piracicaba, Sao Paulo manufacturing facility, delivering on a commitment to offer superior Cat power solutions products to the burgeoning Brazilian offshore market.

Within the past year, the company has achieved significant milestones in Brazil, most recently announcing the RBNA Classification Society Certification of the 3500C generator sets to meet local content regulations.

“The demand for Cat power solutions in Brazil has paralleled the exponential growth in the Brazilian offshore market,” noted Gregg Macdonald, Brazil 3500 Program Manager. “Integrating our power systems manufacturing capabilities in Brazil has been extremely successful and we’re excited to fully support the Brazilian market with Cat solutions and services.”

The 214,000 square-meter Piracicaba facility is Caterpillar’s second facility in Brazil and currently employs over 5,800 people. The facility was recently expanded to include assembly lines devoted solely to the production of generator sets. Future expansion plans are also in place to locally produce additional Cat marine and oil and gas products in Brazil, including medium speed marine offerings. The first shipment of four Cat 3512 DEP generator sets were delivered in December to Navship, a shipbuilder located in Navegantes, Brazil and operated by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO).

All 3500C series generator sets delivered from the Brazil factory  will have a local content of around 60% depending on scope of supply.  In addition to DEP generator sets, Caterpillar's investment in the Piracicaba facility enables the Cat to supply a wide range of main power, auxiliary, and emergency generator sets to meet the needs of the fast growing Brazilian Oil & Gas industry.