OW Brasil officially launched in Brazilian offshore wind market

Ocean Winds, the 50-50 joint-venture between global energy leaders ENGIE and EDP Renewables dedicated to offshore wind, announces the launch of OW Brasil, fully owned Brazilian company working on development opportunities of offshore wind projects in the country.

Highly interested by the incredible potential of 700 GW for offshore wind in Brazil (according to a study by the Energy Research Company EPE), OW started in December 2020 to license five new offshore wind projects for a total capacity of 15 GW in the States of Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro, and Rio Grande do Sul.

Bautista Rodríguez, CEO of OW Ocean Winds, said: “With a 11.2 GW portfolio of projects in seven countries, OW positioned itself as a pioneer leader in the offshore wind sector and aims at expanding its footprint. OW performs a strict market analysis and selection to ensure only countries with strong fundamentals are selected, and since 2020 Brazil shows a high potential for offshore wind projects. This is reinforced by the latest steps taken in the right direction for regulatory framework for offshore wind development in the country”.

On the importance of these offshore wind projects for Brazil, Bautista Rodríguez stated “The development of this new sector of activity in Brazil is an important opportunity to meet the growing demand for energy, develop green hydrogen projects, diversify the energy matrix, and thus ensure the country's energy security with a renewable source that has a competitive cost for the consumer compared to fossil sources.”

Counting with the support of its sponsors (ENGIE being the second largest private-sector power company in Brazil and EDPR with 795 MW of wind and solar installed capacity in the country), OW is seeking authorizations for “Licença Prévia” (Environmental Permit) at IBAMA for the following projects: Vento Tupi (1 GW), Maral (2 GW), Ventos do Atlântico (5 GW), Tramandaí offshore (700 MW), and Ventos do Sul (6.5 GW).

Details of the projects undergoing licensing:

VENTOS DO SUL: OW’s biggest offshore wind project in Brazil with 6.5 GW is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The project will be split into 2 bottom-fixed areas and one floating. A total of 6,507 MW of capacity will be reached with 458 turbines in waters from 20 to 108 meters depth; and will have the same onshore substation and terrestrial transmission lines.

VENTOS DO ATLÂNTICO: this offshore wind complex of 5 GW is in the Rio de Janeiro state at an average of 39km from the coast. The project will be developed in 2 phases. First phase contemplates 61 wind turbines for a total capacity of 837 MW. Second phase foresees 309 wind turbines for a capacity of 4,172 MW.

MARAL:  Offshore Project is located 17 km from coast in Rio Grande do Norte State with a capacity of 2,102 MW, produced from 149 wind turbines of 13.5 MW each.

VENTO TUPI: Offshore wind project located in the state of Piauí. Projected capacity is 999 MW, with 74 wind turbines of 13.5MW each.

TRAMANDAÍ OFFSHORE: a 700 MW offshore project located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is located close to EDPR's onshore wind project, Tramandaí.