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Renewable energy partnership boosts autonomy, productivity and income for traditional communities ~
Natura, WEG and the Association of Agro-Extractive Workers of Ilha das Cinzas (ATAIC) have inaugurated a pioneering solar-powered agro-industry in the Amazon floodplain. Located on Ilha das Cinzas in the Marajó archipelago, Pará, Brazil and accessible only by boat, the project introduces an off-grid photovoltaic system with battery energy storage, significantly reducing dependence on diesel generators and directly benefiting 470 agro-extractive families.
The initiative marks the first time a photovoltaic system with battery energy storage has been deployed in an agro-industry operating in a periodically flooded Amazon region. By ensuring a stable and renewable energy supply, the project strengthens energy autonomy and enables continuous production, even at night or during periods of low sunlight.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the new energy infrastructure allows ATAIC to sell oils and butters locally rather than selling raw seeds and nuts. This value-added production has increased community income by approximately 60 per cent, enhancing economic resilience while maintaining a strong commitment to forest preservation.
The project aligns closely with Natura, a leading Brazilian cosmetics company, its long-standing sustainability strategy and its 25-year presence in the Amazon. It also serves as a practical example of the bioeconomy as a tool for climate change mitigation, building on the global discussions and outcomes of COP30, which took place in Belém, Pará.
“The launch of this solar-powered agro-industry brings our strategy to life — driving low-impact businesses aligned with our net-zero carbon goals by 2030 and transforming all Natura operations into regenerative ones by 2050,” said Angela Pinhati, sustainability director at Natura. “It’s also a way to strengthen our sustainable industrialisation plan for the Amazon and highlight the role of traditional communities in forest preservation”
The installed technology consists of an off-grid photovoltaic system, with solar panels mounted on the production unit, generating electricity that is stored in a battery energy storage system (BESS). This ensures reliable power during cloudy periods and at night, with diesel generators now used only as an emergency backup, drastically reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions.
“The implementation of this photovoltaic system in Ilha das Cinzas reaffirms our commitment to sustainability,” said Daniel Marteleto Godinho, director of sustainability and institutional relations at WEG. “Through this project, WEG demonstrated how our solutions contribute to the energy transition by offering a replicable model for other Amazon regions and remote communities. Adding value and promoting the development of the local community makes this work even more meaningful to us.”
The partnership highlights the importance of collaboration between leading Brazilian companies in strengthening the country’s socio-bioeconomy. Natura provided institutional support and facilitated partnerships, alongside technical and operational guidance. WEG supplied the photovoltaic and energy storage system, with installation carried out in collaboration with its partner W-Energy, responsible for technical execution.
To ensure long-term autonomy, Natura and WEG delivered technical training to local residents, enabling them to operate and maintain the system. This knowledge transfer encourages youth engagement and supports generational succession in agro-extractive activities.
For ATAIC, which has partnered with Natura for nine years as a supplier of raw materials such as murumuru, ucuuba and patauá, the project builds on an established pathway of sustainable technology adoption. Previous initiatives in water treatment, waste management and biogas generation have already strengthened local infrastructure and production capacity.
“The complex functions as a social technology laboratory,” said Francisco Malheiros, president of ATAIC. “It also directly empowers women in the community, increasing their role in productive activities and income generation. The initiative reflects sustainability as a foundational value for ATAIC, strengthening traditional communities and preserving the standing forest.”
With its new renewable energy structure, ATAIC is expected to further boost productivity in a sustainable way, improving social and economic conditions for local families while serving as a model for similar initiatives across the Amazon and beyond.
For more information about WEG and its renewable energy and sustainability solutions for remote and industrial applications, please visit the website.
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WEG (UK) Ltd
Broad Ground Road
Lakeside
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 8YP
Tel: +44 (0)1527 513800
Email: info-uk@weg.net
Web: https://www.weg.net
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