Brazilian state energy company Petrobras and the government of Rio Grande do Norte have signed a memorandum of understanding to address the feasibility of an offshore wind pilot project in the state
Under the agreement, signed on 29 April 2024, Rio Grande do Norte – Brazil’s northernmost state – will align the project with state programmes and policies, and support studies and research for its development and implementation.
Petrobras will undertake studies on the possible environmental and social impacts resulting from the project.
Petrobras president Jean Paul Prates said, “Petrobras has been establishing partnerships with institutions and companies to acquire knowledge and training in the offshore wind segment, to evaluate future projects and opportunities. Rio Grande do Norte has an excellent wind resource for offshore wind projects.”
Petrobras has filed more potential offshore wind projects in Brazilian waters with Ibama, the Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, than any other company.
It is seeking licences for projects in 10 areas with a total potential of 23 GW. Of these, seven are offshore northeast Brazil, totalling 14.3 GW of capacity. It is also carrying out studies in seven areas in partnership with Equinor for projects with a further 14.5 GW of potential.
The company is also conducting the largest wind mapping campaign in Brazil. Last year, it completed a decade of offshore wind measurements and is intensifying measurement campaigns, which are fundamental to the assessment of the technical feasibility of offshore wind projects. Among these are six measurement platforms in shallow water off the coasts of the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Espírito Santo.
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