Shell Announces 17 GW Offshore Wind Projects in Brazil

Global oil and gas conglomerate Shell has announced that it has applied for environmental investigation licences with Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA), Brazil, for the development of six offshore wind projects.

The total capacity of the six projects comes up to 17 GW. Shell has overtaken Ventos do Atlântico that has 15 GW licenses from five projects in Brazil. The country has a total of 100GW offshore wind energy capacity while onshore capacity stands at 21GW.

Shell says that the initiative is part of the company’s commitment to decarbonisation goals for energy transition.

Shell submitted an Activity Characterisation Form (FCA), seeking a go ahead from the Brazilian Government to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA is necessary to support project development, investment and construction.

The requisite studies are expected to begin this year itself. They will be carried out in the waters offshore the states of Piaui, Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul.

Gabriela Oliveira, Manager of Shell Renewable Generation Brasil, said, “With more than 20 years of experience in wind energy worldwide and more than 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.”

Shell said that it’s also awaiting the definition of the rest of the regulations that will guide the development of the offshore projects. It said that the submission of the application for these licences is the first step towards facilitating the best study of the areas and sustainable and responsible development of the projects.

The offshore wind energy sector is expanding fast in Brazil. The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Government of Brazil, had issued a Decree in January this year to regulate the contracting of areas for wind energy development. The decree will also enable the implementation of offshore studies and the identification of areas suitable for the development of offshore wind projects.