Ocean Winds plans major offshore wind push in Rio de Janeiro
Franco-Portuguese giant its eye on 5GW in Rio and has forged a logistics partnership with a private port facility.
Offshore wind developer Ocean Winds has firmed up a budding partnership with the government of Rio de Janeiro state after a busy week for Brazil’s nascent offshore wind sector.
Ocean Winds, a joint venture between European energy giants EDP Renewables and Engie, already has a strong presence in Brazil and has submitted environmental permitting applications for proposed offshore arrays in four different states, including a 5GW project in Rio de Janeiro called Ventos do Atlantico.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed with Rio de Janeiro state officials anticipates progress on a federal bill that will create a legal framework for offshore wind energy, Ocean Winds noted in its press release on the topic.
“The signing of this partnership at a moment when the country aims to have the industry’s legal framework by the end of the year indicates a determined commitment to drive offshore wind projects within the state’s domains, while aligning with its renewable energy and economic development goals,” Ocean Winds stated.
In his own statement, Rio de Janeiro’s acting governor Thiago Pampolha said the state’s 636 kilometre coastline and prevailing winds “make part of the coast the perfect setting for offshore wind farms.”
As well as promising avenues for the development of projects and creating jobs within the state, Ocean Winds said the partnership would allow “thorough assessments in order to identify potential regulatory and fiscal barriers as well as opportunities for the realisation of projects."
Ocean Winds said the partnership will allow joint studies to help underpin prospective offshore wind energy projects within the sphere of operations of the modern port complex.
"This joint effort entails the execution of different studies critical for offshore wind energy projects, such as environmental or regulatory, coupled with evaluations of financial and technical viability," the company stated.
Mauro Andrade, director of new business at Prumo added: "Signing this agreement with OW demonstrates that we are advancing towards our goal of making Acu the primary hub for installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance for offshore wind farms in the Southeast region.
"The proximity to future offshore wind farms, the logistics and existing maritime support at the port, which already serves the oil and gas industry... as well as the establishment of the value chain with turbines, wind blades, cables, and towers, will make Porto do Acu the most competitive infrastructure to serve this emerging industry.”
In October 2022, TotalEnergies entered into a partnership with Casa dos Ventos to jointly develop a 12GW renewable energy portfolio.
The oil and gas giant said it has filed requests with Brazil’s environmental protection agency Ibama over potential development in 10 regions and the 23GW solo push is additional to existing moves underway with partners, such as the link-up with Norwegian oil group Equinor announced earlier this year.