Powertec extends partnership with GT Advance Technologies, inks MoU

Taiwan-based energy company Powertec Energy has with inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the technology company GT Advanced Technologies extending its partnership.

As per the agreement, Powertec will purchase poly-silicon technology and equipment from GT for its phase 2 and 3 of solar projects expansion.

In 2012, GT shipped 6,000 MTA polysilicon production technology and equipment during the development of its phase 1 of the projects located in Taiwan’s Changbin Industrial Park.

Powertec president Scott Kuo stated that the alliance of the companies’ expertise and GT’s support and cooperation for its current and future production plans forms a strong partnership.

Kuo added that the MoU is a testimony of their confidence in each other.

The company is likely to begin the ordering the equipment during the second half of 2014.

Powertec chairman YiYi Tai has remarked that the company would commence the construction of the next phase after the successful startup of first phase.

"Total capacity at our current site is expected to reach 27,500 MTA after all three phases are completed," added Tai.

"When our plant is fully operational next year, we will immediately begin debottlenecking work to increase our phase 1 capacity to 7,500 MTA. We expect to produce high-quality polysilicon at a cash cost that will enable us to successfully compete on a global scale," explained Tai.

The phase 1 is reportedly on line with the commercial operation in the first half of 2014, when the solar industry is expected to recover from the downturn.

The company expects to meet the energy requirements of future solar demand and domestic semiconductor industry in Taiwan with the combined capacity of its phases.

GT Advanced Technologies executive vice president Dave Keck added: "Powertec is building a world class polysilicon facility."