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Brazil’s offshore wind energy potential exceeds 1,200GW, with 480GW from fixed foundations, and 748GW from floating foundations, a new study claims.
The “Scenarios for Offshore Wind Development in Brazil” study, conducted by DNV for the World Bank Group, is one of a series of offshore wind roadmap studies funded and led by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program in partnership with the International Finance Corporation.
According to the study, offshore wind is an abundant resource, strategically located near demand centres, and could be pivotal in Brazil’s future energy landscape.
The findings emphasize the need for a clear energy strategy, significant infrastructure investment, and prompt action to harness the growing interest in offshore wind in Brazil. The report provided a vision for a future under three different growth scenarios.
Namely, the base case predicts 16GW by 2050, representing 3% of Brazil’s generation capacity. The intermediate case is for 32 GW by 2050, which would account for 6% of the total generation capacity, while the ambitious case is for 96 GW by 2050, comprising nearly 20% of the generation mix.
Offshore wind development in Brazil offers a promising complement to hydroelectric power, reducing interannual variability and providing a buffer during dry periods.
The study claims that the offshore wind sector could support Brazil’s green hydrogen targets and can drive economic growth and job creation, potentially generating up to 516,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contributing $168bn in national gross value added under the ‘ambitious’ scenario.
Several challenges were recognised, including high initial costs that require concessional finance and strategic seabed rights allocation. Substantial investments are also needed for transmission upgrades and grid flexibility to integrate offshore wind effectively. Upgrading regional ports, logistics infrastructure, and the offshore wind supply chain to support larger turbine production adds to the overall costs. |
