Gerdau invests R$150 million to fully acquire Brazilian hydroelectric plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Gerdau has taken a new step in its competitiveness and decarbonization strategy by advancing toward full control of Dona Francisca Energética S.A. (DFESA) through the acquisition of a 23.03% stake held by Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Copel). The transaction has an enterprise value of R$150 million, to be paid in a single installment using its own funds, subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions for such deals. DFESA operates the Dona Francisca hydroelectric plant on the Jacuí River in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

This move follows a strategy initiated in April this year, when the steelmaker announced the acquisition of Celesc's stake in the same company. Upon completion of both transactions, Gerdau will hold 100% of DFESA's capital, gaining full control of this renewable energy generation asset. The Dona Francisca hydroelectric plant has an installed capacity of 125 MW and a physical guarantee capacity of 72.5 MW (average). With the full acquisition, Gerdau's average self-generation capacity will increase by 30.4 MW (average), enabling it to fully utilize approximately 66 MW of the project's average available guaranteed power.

According to Gerdau CEO Gustavo Werneck, this transaction aligns with the company's goal of increasing the share of self-generated renewable energy in its operations, raising self-generation to over 50% of the company's total energy consumption. This acquisition is part of a series of recent investments in self-generation. In March, Gerdau activated its second solar park in Barro Alto, Goiás. The first solar park began operations in 2025 in Arinos, Minas Gerais. Earlier last year, the company also announced the acquisition of two small hydroelectric plants (PCHs) in Mato Grosso.

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