Petrobras Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Offshore Wind Project in Brazil

Petrobras, the Brazilian multinational corporation in the petroleum industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) to explore the feasibility of implementing an offshore wind pilot project. 

Petrobras and government of Rio Grande do Norte sign memorandum for pilot offshore wind project

The MOU, signed, outlines the responsibilities of both parties. Petrobras will conduct studies on the potential environmental and social impacts of the pilot project. On the other hand, the Government of Rio Grande do Norte will align the project with state programs and policies and support studies and research for its development and implementation.

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“Rio Grande do Norte has a natural vocation, an excellent wind regime for offshore wind projects and we believe that the state's vocation should be capitalised on," said Petrobras president Jean Paul Prates.

The company has requested the start of the licensing process for renewable power projects in Brazil. The company is assessing feasibility in 10 areas with a total potential of 23 GW, seven of which are in the Northeast, totalling 14.3 GW of capacity, as well as carrying out studies in seven areas in partnership with Equinor, totalling a further 14.5 GW of total potential.

The company is conducting the largest wind mapping campaign in Brazil. Last year, the company completed a decade of offshore wind measurements and is intensifying measurement campaigns in some locations in the Brazilian sea, which are fundamental for assessing the technical feasibility for the upcoming offshore wind projects in Brazil.

Upcoming Offshore Wind Projects in Brazil

Brazil is witnessing a surge in offshore wind energy projects, with Petrobras, the state-owned oil and gas giant, leading the way. The company has unveiled plans to develop offshore wind farms in Brazil. These projects are part of Petrobras's broader strategy to diversify its energy portfolio and contribute to the global transition towards cleaner and renewable energy sources.

Petrobras has submitted a request to the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) to start the environmental licensing process for ten areas off the Brazilian coast. 

These areas are located in the Northeast (three in Rio Grande do Norte, three in Ceará, and one in Maranhão), two in the Southeast (one in Rio de Janeiro and one in Espírito Santo), and one in the South of the country in Rio Grande do Sul.

In addition to Petrobras's initiatives, other companies have also shown interest in offshore wind projects in Brazil. For instance, Ocean Winds is planning a 6.5 GW offshore wind development with 482 turbines of 13.5 MW output, named Ventos do Sul, and a 700 MW offshore wind farm named Tramanda Offshore.

Moreover, Monex Geracao de Energia has proposed a 3 GW project in Ceará and a 2 GW project in Rio Grande do Norte. In Ceará, Energia Itapipoca also wants to develop a 720 MW offshore wind farm, and CEMIG Geracao e Transmissao has applied for the investigation license for a 1.5 GW project.
 

Hence, the exploration of offshore wind energy not only diversifies the country's energy portfolio but also contributes to global efforts to combat climate change. With 71 applications now filed in Brazil, proposals total 176.6 GW in proposed capacity. 

For further details about upcoming offshore wind projects in Brazil, explore our database.

Read: Ørsted Inaugurates Asia-Pacific’s Largest Offshore Wind farms

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