Petrobras Launches Tenders for Offshore Wind Pilot Project in Brazil

Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company Petrobras has announced the launch of two tenders for an offshore wind pilot project off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.

The first tender involves the acquisition and processing of geophysical data in ultra-shallow waters off São João da Barra. The services will utilize electrical tomography, bathymetry, and topography to a depth of approximately 10 meters, covering an area of 1.5 square kilometers.

The second tender focuses on the acquisition of geotechnical data in shallow and ultra-shallow water as well as beach environments.

A study conducted by DNV for the World Bank Group in 2024 revealed that Brazil’s offshore wind energy potential exceeds 1.2TW, with 480GW from fixed foundations and 748GW from floating foundations.

The study also highlighted the potential of the offshore wind sector to support Brazil’s green hydrogen targets, drive economic growth, and create job opportunities. It estimated that the sector could generate up to 516,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contribute $168 billion in national gross value added.

In January of this year, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva authorized the development of offshore wind farms in the country, signaling a significant step towards harnessing Brazil’s renewable energy potential.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, there are currently 103 offshore wind farm projects in Brazil awaiting licensing approval as of December 2024.