EN 
PT_BR 
A Neoenergia and the Bob, a holding company controlled by EIG, signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) for the development of studies for the production of H2 (green hydrogen) at the Açu Port, in the north of Rio de Janeiro.
The agreement also includes the carrying out of research for offshore wind generation in that region of the coast of Rio de Janeiro, including socioeconomic, environmental, supply chain and logistics aspects of the industrial and port complex.
O announcement was held this Thursday (29), during the session “Development of the offshore wind energy generation market in Brazil – challenges and opportunities”, at 20th edition of Rio Oil &Gas, the largest oil and gas event in Latin America.
“Brazil will continue to demand strong investments in the energy sector in the coming years. We have full capacity to generate value for the Brazilian market”, said Eduardo Capelastegui, CEO of Neoenergia.
“The expansion of the renewables portfolio reinforces our commitment to decarbonization, innovation and the development of renewable technologies,” he stated.
Laura Porto, executive director of Renewables at Neoenergia, also participated in the event and commented that Neoenergia focuses on developing a portfolio of renewable wind and photovoltaic projects.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the company aims to train teams and strategic partnerships for the viability of offshore wind generation and the development of H2 pilot projects.
"O Porto do Açu has a privileged infrastructure condition for the development of an energy consumption hub that will promote both the production of green hydrogen and the necessary renewable energy for its production”, highlighted Hugo Nunes, executive director of Liberalizados at Neoenergia.
“The decarbonization of industry generates demand for renewable electrical energy to the detriment of the use of fossil fuels,” he added.
Therefore, according to the agreement, the projects can have synergy with the port infrastructure both in the installation phase, as it serves as a support area for the manufacture and storage of materials, and in the operation phase, allowing the docking of special vessels.
Rogério Zampronha, CEO of Prumo, who mediated the talk during the event, highlighted the differences of Porto do Açu: “Prumo understands the energy transition as a necessity since the implementation of the Port.
“This is the only port project in the country capable of foster low-carbon industrialization from the beginning, because in addition to the available retro area and world-class infrastructure, it has a great location, making it the best place to install logistical bases for offshore wind farms”, he reinforced.
Currently, Porto do Açu is projected as an area on the Brazilian coast that brings together one of the best wind conditions for the installation of offshore wind farms, with major global players interested in installing projects on the adjacent coast.
“Today we already have 2.4 GW of renewable energy projects under development, including H2, solar and offshore wind plants, which will act in synergy. The Port is located in an area of influence with potential for 30 GW of generation in offshore wind projects being licensed by Ibama”, said Mauro Andrade, director of New Business at Prumo.
“This makes us a platform for low-carbon industrialization, with memorandums also signed for the development of plants for green hydrogen and photovoltaic energy, all acting in synergy, as the Neoenergia project envisages,” he explained.
Other agreements
In addition to the new agreement with Prumo, Neoenergia has already signed memoranda of understanding with the governments of Pernambuco, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte for the development of H2.
The government of Rio Grande do Sul has already signed for the development of green hydrogen plants and studies for offshore wind generation on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, in the Águas Claras offshore park.
H2 production in Brazil
The conditions are broad for the Brazil becomes a protagonist in the production of green hydrogen to meet domestic demand and exports.
Currently, the country has 83% of the electrical matrix based on renewable sources, according to EPE (Energy Research Company). The expectation is for the segment to expand with the development of new technologies such as offshore wind.
The CNPE (National Energy Policy Council) of Brazil, in February 2021, identified H2 as one of the priority themes for research and development in the country.
