Agreement between EDF Renewables and Prumo Logística also provides for green hydrogen production at the Açu port-industry complex
EDF Renewables, a global leader in renewable energy, and Prumo Logística, the holding company controlled by EIG and responsible for the development of the Açu Port, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study the development and infrastructure of offshore wind farms in the Norte Fluminense region.
The agreement represents an important step in EDF Renewables’ strategy in the offshore wind sector in Brazil and envisages the use of the Port of Açu as a logistics and renewable energy hub, including the production of green hydrogen (H2V) in Latin America’s largest port-industry complex.
EDF Renewables’ global experience in offshore projects combined with its presence in the Brazilian market guarantees the technical capacity necessary for the development and future implementation of the project. With a portfolio of 1.7 GW in viable onshore wind and solar projects in Brazil, EDF Renewables also targets hybrid projects that combine offshore wind and H2V in the country.
“We are very pleased with the execution of the MoU. We believe in the complementarity of Prumo and EDF Renewables. We currently have more than 1 GW in operation and more than 6 GW under construction and in development of offshore projects around the world. All of the port logistics infrastructure and Prumo’s licensing experience in the region have added to our extensive and solid experience in offshore projects, and we expect will add even more value to this project,” said André Salgado, CEO of EDF Renewables do Brasil.
“We have the experience of operating the largest low-carbon hydrogen plant in France and are expanding our operations on this front globally. In Brazil, we intend to be one of the main green hydrogen players,” says the company’s emerging models manager, Sylvain Jouhanneau. “In this sense, the wind energy generated offshore will have the potential to power electrolysers to generate HV2 in large quantities in Brazil, which will contribute to the replacement of fossil fuels, benefiting the country in the purpose of generating clean energy and accelerating its energy transition,” he explains.
Prumo Logística is a key player in the development of the offshore industry in the Norte Fluminense region. In addition, the privileged geographical location of the Port of Açu (close to one of the three best regions in Brazil for offshore wind incidence and to the main economic centers in the country) and its operational port infrastructure make Açu the ideal logistical base to boost the development of marine wind farms, enabling the development of the region from the installation of new plants at the port.
“When it comes to offshore installations, it is necessary to have a port structure that supports the entire construction, assembly, and transportation service. Among other comparative advantages, the Port of Açu has more than 60 km² of area available for growth, a 25-meter deep draft, and a robust logistics and export infrastructure,” says Rogério Zampronha, CEO of Prumo Logística.
“The characteristics that make Port of Açu the main support base for oil and natural gas activities in Brazil and the attraction of manufacturers in the wind energy supply chain will generate synergies and increase competitiveness to make Açu the main hub for installation, commissioning and support of offshore wind farms in Southeast Brazil,” according to Mauro Andrade, Prumo’s Executive Director of Business Development.
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is a leading international renewable energy company, with gross installed capacity of 15.6 GW worldwide. Its development is mainly focused on wind and solar photovoltaic energy. EDF Renewables operates mainly in Europe and North America, but continues to grow and establish itself in promising regions such as Brazil, China, India, South Africa, and the Middle East. The company also holds strong positions in offshore wind energy and other areas of the renewable energy industry, such as distributed energy and energy storage. EDF Renewables develops, builds, operates and maintains renewable energy projects, both for itself and for third parties. Most of its international subsidiaries carry the EDF Renewables brand. EDF Renewables is the subsidiary of EDF Group specialized in the development of solar and wind energy. In Brazil since 2015, EDF Renewables Brasil is among the country’s leaders in the renewable energy sector with more than 1.7 GW of solar and wind power projects made feasible in Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Paraíba.
About Prumo
Prumo Logística is an economic multi-business group responsible for the strategic development of Port of Açu. It is controlled by EIG, a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, and Mubadala Investment Company, an active and innovative investor that allocates capital in various segments. Through the Group’s six companies (Porto do Açu Operations, Ferroport, Vast Infraestrutura, GNA, Dome and BP Prumo) and customers and partners, Port of Açu serves the oil and gas, port logistics and mining sectors. The infrastructure has unparalleled potential to support new businesses and various low-carbon industrial niches. Guided by Prumo’s strategic perspective, Açu is today one of the largest and most promising enterprises in Brazil.
About Port of Açu
Port of Açu is the largest deep-water port-industry complex in Latin America. In operation since 2014, it is managed by the affiliate Porto do Açu Operações, a partnership between Prumo Logística and the International Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The only totally private port in the country, it is the result of investments totaling BRL 20 billion, with planned investments of another BRL 22 billion over the next ten years. It has the third largest iron ore terminal in Brazil, is responsible for 30% of Brazil’s oil exports, erects the largest thermal park in Latin America, and houses the largest offshore support base in the world. In all, there are already 19 companies already installed, and among customers and partners, several of them are world-class companies. Port of Açu is a young port focused on sustainable growth. The next steps include expanding mining, oil and gas activities, accelerating industrialization, and advancing renewable energy projects.
