Portos RS maps 30 offshore renewable energy projects

Initiatives are led by companies interested in exploring the energy potential of the Rio Grande do Sul coast, according to a presentation made at Sul Export

Portos RS Planning and Development Manager Fernando Estima revealed that there are currently 30 projects with environmental licensing processes filed with Ibama (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), aimed at the production of offshore renewable energy on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul. The initiatives are led by companies interested in exploring the energy potential of the southern region.

The speech took place during the first day of the Sul Export Forum, which takes place today (28) and tomorrow (29), in Porto Alegre. On the occasion, Fernando gave a special lecture presenting figures from Portos RS to the participants.

According to Estima, these investments are in line with Bill 576 of 2021, which regulates the granting of authorizations for the use of offshore energy potential in Brazil. The proposal seeks to provide legal certainty and regulate the exploration of renewable sources in the maritime environment.

The executive also highlighted that, starting in 2030, an international agreement will require oil companies that want to sell oil to produce at least 30% of their energy from renewable sources. “This sector will bring new energy that depends on the economy of the sea, which we still use superficially,” he said. For him, the exploration of maritime space still lacks more robust planning, but is showing important progress.

Green Hydrogen

In addition to offshore renewable energy production, Estima highlighted that Rio Grande do Sul is already preparing for the new frontier of green hydrogen. According to him, the state has “specialized consultancy in the area and is in a position to both export the input and use it internally in industrialization processes, such as in the production of fertilizers.”