Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Moreira Franco, signed at the Industrial Association of Rio de Janeiro State (FIRJAN) the authorization for the implementation of thermal power plant GNA II, to be developed by Gás Natural Açu (GNA) in the Port of Açu, in São João da Barra. The enterprise will have 1673 MW capacity.
“We have been able to advance toward ensuring cheap and clean energy for Brazil, and the outlook is very encouraging. We delivered authorizations for 80 enterprises which won A-4 and A-6 auctions. Some are initiatives in Rio de Janeiro State: thermal power plants GNA I and GNA II and Vale Azul plant, to be installed in the city of Macaé. I expect that, given time, we will decentralize output and reduce the final cost of energy for other Brazilian states,” said the Minister.
Developed by Gás Natural Açu (GNA – a partnership between Prumo Logística, BP and Siemens), GNA II came out as the winner of the A-6 auction in December 2017. Commercial operations at this plant are planned to begin in January 2023.
“With the authorization for the second thermal power plant, the Port of Açu becomes the largest thermal power complex in Latin America, with 3GW capacity, which is something that gives us great pride,” said Bernardo Perseke, Chief Executive Officer of GNA.
According to José Magela, CEO of Prumo Logística (the holding company that develops the Port of Açu), “more than 8 billion reais will be invested by 2023 to install the two gas-fired thermal power plants and on the LNG regasification terminal, which will boost income, job creation and economic development in Northern Rio de Janeiro State and in Brazil as a whole.”
Last March, GNA began construction work on thermal power plant GNA I, which will start operations in January 2021. Before year-end, construction will start on the liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal, with daily capacity for 21 million cubic meters.
Thermal power plants are part of the Açu Gas Hub, a project being developed in the Açu Port Complex, whose goal is to set up a logistics solution for LNG imports and storage, as well as for recipience, processing, consumption and transportation of natural gas produced in the Campos and Santos basins. Natural gas is considered a key piece of the development of the port complex.
Railway
During the event, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Moreira Franco, also addressed the importance of a rail connection to the Port of Açu, through the Rio-Vitória Railway (EF-118). “We must create rail and road access and transportation infrastructure to the Port of Açu. It is incompatible to have this industrial complex in development and not have the needed logistics connection,” he said.
José Magela, CEO of Prumo Logística, reaffirmed this request. “The port unites Brazil and the world. We now must unite the world and Brazil through a rail loop. Rio-Vitória will transform reality in Rio de Janeiro and bring economic development to Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo states,” he added.
