Petrobras turns wind turbine maker as Brazilian oil player plans giant model
State fossil group to join WEG for 7MW onshore turbine with eye on offshore later
Petrobras said it will help develop a 7MW onshore wind turbine, marking a significant new foray into renewables technology by the Brazilian state oil & gas giant.
Petrobras will invest R$130m ($26.3m) to jointly develop the 7MW machine with WEG, the Brazilian industrial conglomerate that is already active in the wind power sector.
The partners expect series production of the turbine to begin in 2025.
Petrobras said: “In addition to its role in the expansion of national onshore wind energy, the development of this 7MW wind turbine will have a positive impact on the future of offshore wind energy in Brazil.
“As a national supplier accumulates experience and knowledge in the production of high-capacity onshore wind turbines, it paves the way for the development of larger wind turbines, which can be used in offshore generation projects.”
It added: “Petrobras, for its part, will acquire specific knowledge about the specification, optimisation and installation of large wind turbines. On this journey, the transition to offshore wind energy offers opportunities to exploit the vast wind potential off the coast of the country.”
Brazil’s onshore wind sector at 25.6GW is already by far the largest in South America and the nation is also set fair as a big potential new market for wind at sea.
Petrobras and Equinor earlier this year said they are considering installing up to seven offshore wind farms in Brazil with the potential to generate up to 14.5GW.
Brazil’s wind sector is also among the most competitive globally, with a string of global wind giants over the years setting up Brazilian factories to tap local content incentives and in some case having to mothball them when demand slows.