Ocean Winds Signs Billion-Dollar Agreement to Expand Offshore Wind Energy in Brazil. Memorandum Signed with the State of Rio Grande do Sul Promises to Create 10,000 Jobs

Spanish Multinational, Ocean Winds, Aims to Harness Offshore Wind Forces in Rio Grande do Sul

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Ranolfo Vieira Júnior, signed a memorandum in June with the multinational Ocean Winds to expand offshore wind energy operations in the state. The memorandum aims for an understanding between the two parties for the development of new offshore wind farm projects, will create new job opportunities, and was formalized during an event at Palácio Piratini.

Offshore wind energy is a renewable source that has grown in recent years, aiming to harness winds produced offshore to generate electricity. Turbines are placed in the sea through foundations and generate more energy than onshore installations, as offshore winds encounter no obstacles and spin the blades more intensively. However, maintenance costs can be higher. Learn more about the negotiations in the article.

See How an Offshore Wind Farm Works in the Video Below

Rio Grande do Sul Has the Capacity to Generate Up to 114 Gigawatts of Offshore Energy, According to Experts

The state of Rio Grande do Sul was chosen for its broad capacity for wind energy generation. Onshore, the state can reach the mark of 100 gigawatts. However, offshore, due to the absence of barriers, this value rises to 114 gigawatts, which significantly highlights the state as a producer of this type of energy.

The Chief of Staff of RS pointed out that even with these production values from the state, when summed, they only account for 5% of the national capacity for wind energy. In other words, there is still much to be explored, considering the expanse of the southern coast.

“Rio Grande do Sul has great potential for electricity generation from renewable sources, especially wind technology. This signing represents that and is a first step. If the two projects for our coast are realized, we will have investments on the order of R$ 100 billion, generating 10 thousand jobs during construction and 4 thousand in operations”.

Ranolfo Vieira Júnior, Governor of Rio Grande do Sul (2022)

Wind Energy Projects Should Be Fully Operational by 2030

Billion-dollar investments on the coast will be used to expand offshore wind farms. Construction is scheduled to begin as early as next year and is planned to be completed and operational by 2030.

The Director of New Business at the multinational Ocean Winds, José Partida Solano, stated that currently, the projects are in the licensing phase with the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). After approval by the institute, the projects will commence and are expected to bring around 10 thousand new job opportunities, along with greater development for the southern region’s economy.

So, Who is Ocean Winds?

Ocean Winds is a joint venture of the multinational companies Engie (French) and EDPR (Portuguese) and operates in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the production of onshore and offshore wind energy. In Brazil, the joint venture has 5 projects, of which 2 are located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Among the projects underway in the state, one is located in the North Coast named Marinha de Tramandaí, and the other in the South Coast, called Ventos do Sul. The first complex can produce up to 700 megawatts, while the second, due to its larger extent, reaches the impressive value of 6.5 gigawatts. With the new project, new job opportunities will be generated, along with greater development for the southern region.