Supermajor Shell has submitted plans to build six offshore wind farms in Brazilian waters with a planned 17 gigawatts of combined capacity.
Shell confirmed that it has applied for environmental licensing with federal regulator Ibama to develop offshore wind projects in the Piaui, Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul states.
“With more than 20 years of experience in wind energy worldwide and over 50 years of tradition in offshore projects, Shell intends to combine its expertise on these two fronts with the aim of providing more energy and clean energy to the country,” said Shell Brazil renewable generation manager Gabriela Oliveira.
The six projects in Brazil are Piaui (2.5 GW), Pecem (3 GW), Galinhos (3 GW), Ubu (2.5 GW), Acu (3 GW) and White Shark (3 GW).
Shell did not provide additional information on the six initiatives, just saying environmental studies for its offshore wind farms will begin later this year.
Shell’s offshore wind activities so far include the US – where it was successful in the recent New York Bight leasing round – Scotland, where it is planning 5GW of floating wind projects in conjunction with Iberdrola, the Netherlands, and South Korea.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian government has established the parameters for the installation of offshore wind projects in the country.
The decree assigns the use of physical spaces and the best utilisation of natural resources of this type of electric energy generation from offshore projects.
There are currently more than 80 GW of nominal capacity of offshore wind projects under environmental licensing to be installed in Brazil.
The country’s energy planning entity, EPE, has estimated the country’s offshore wind potential as high as 700GW off its 8,000km coastline.
According to a World Bank estimate, the country has a theoretical potential of 1,200GW for wind at sea, of which 480GW is seen as bottom-fixed in depths of up to 50 metres and another 748GW as floating plant in deeper waters.
Companies expressing interest so far include Equinor, Iberdrola and China’s MingYang.
The first two are seeking licenses for 4GW and 9GW respectively, joining local players Bi Energia and Asa Branca.
For more information visit www.shell.com
