Petrobras, the Brazilian energy giant, has taken a significant step in its pursuit of renewable energy by submitting a formal request to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) to initiate the environmental licensing process for ten offshore areas in Brazil. These areas are earmarked for the development of offshore wind energy projects, with a total capacity of 23 gigawatts (GW).
The proposed areas span across Brazil, with seven situated in the northeast region (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 southern region (Rio Grande do Sul).
This move underscores Petrobras' commitment to diversify its energy portfolio through the development of its own renewable projects, alongside collaborative endeavors. One such collaboration is with Equinor, where both companies are currently assessing the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of seven offshore wind power generation projects off Brazil's coast. These projects have the potential to generate an impressive 14.5 GW of clean energy.
Petrobras marked a significant milestone this year by completing a decade of offshore wind measurements. The company is now intensifying its wind measurement campaigns in select locations within Brazilian waters. These measurements are crucial in evaluating the technical viability of future offshore wind energy installations.
One particular area of interest is in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which stands out from the rest due to its water depth exceeding 100 meters. In such deep waters, traditional fixed foundations are not feasible. Instead, Petrobras is exploring the use of floating installations. The success of these floating installations could pave the way for integrating wind energy into the company's offshore production platforms, providing a sustainable energy source for its operations.
It's important to note that Petrobras' request to IBAMA is just the initial step in the process and does not guarantee ownership of these offshore areas. The final allocation of these areas will follow a rigorous evaluation process in accordance with the regulatory framework currently under discussion in the National Congress.
