Porto do Açu seeks to consolidate itself as an energy transition center, through the development of natural gas, solar and wind energy and green hydrogen projects, which will coexist with fossil fuels

In order to establish itself in the energy transition center, Porto do Açu, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is developing projects for new forms of energy to compete with fossil fuels, such as natural gas, solar and wind energy and green hydrogen.

Recognized for the implementation of infrastructure and several companies, the port of Açu, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was initially designed to support the exploration and offshore oil and gas production and mining. According to BNamericas, the station's current goal is to become an energy transition center, developing natural gas, solar and offshore wind energy projects, as well as green hydrogen, all of which coexist with the fossil fuel industry.

The energy transition will be put into practice in several new projects

Prumo Logística is the company in charge of managing this port. This company is a holding company managed by the US fund EIG, the main shareholder, as well as by the Abu Dhabi Mubadala fund.

According to the executive president of Prumo Logística, Rogério Zampronha, both dominate several companies.

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Like Ferroport, which is a joint venture with Anglo America in the mining business; GNA (Gás Natural Açu), which has 3GW of thermoelectric plants; Vast (formerly Açu Petróleo), which accounts for 40% of Brazilian oil exports; and NfX, fuel logistics.

According to Zampronha, the port of Açu was designed with the intention of mining and supporting offshore exploration and production.

Only with the installation of several companies from the port, it was possible to consolidate this industry.

“In my opinion, it is possible to find in Açu a set of elements that make the port the best energy transition point in Latin America. For there to be a transition, you need abundant and cheap renewable energy, in addition to drinking water”, details the executive president of Prumo Logística.

The executive president of Prumo Logística, responsible for the port of Açu, says that the port's location is strategic and opens up new possibilities.

Rogério Zampronha also points out that the port of Açu is located close to the region with the highest consumption of electricity in Brazil, the southeast of the country.

In addition, he claims that the port has capacity for the installation of an industry that manufactures blades, wind turbines and offshore generator bases.

Regarding solar energy, the development agreement with Equinor is evident, expected to be in operation by the year 2025.

There are also biomass projects under development aimed at producing biogas and its by-products, such as biomethane, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) and others.

“We also approved a project to build a storage terminal for fossil fuels, biofuels and electrofuels [such as ammonia and green methanol] for Vast”, he adds. Offshore wind energy is not left out: “We have agreements with EDF, Neoenergia, TotalEnergies and Equinor, and for green hydrogen with Shell, Linde, Neoenergia, EDF and Comerc Eficiência”.

Zampronha adds that Prumo's goal is to reduce the carbon footprint in the world and help Brazil accelerate to its best, made up of its people, its privileged position, its stability and the natural resources that make it up.

Therefore, by developing natural gas, solar and wind energy and green hydrogen projects, which will coexist with fossil fuels, Porto de Aço will establish itself as a center of energy transition.