Brazil regulates offshore wind generation

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro issued a decree regulating the use of physical spaces and natural resources in national waters for offshore electrical generation.

The decree advances the development of wind generation in Brazil, after a series of meetings and discussions between national and international organizations, Brazil's environmental regulator Ibama and the mines and energy ministry about the subject.

The order states how the procedures to establish an offshore project must be conducted, where the requests can be submitted and what steps companies must follow to carry out their projects.

Brazil has favorable characteristics for the installation and operation of offshore electricity generation projects. With a wide coastline and broad maritime space under its authority and constant directional winds in the northeast region the country sees many opportunities to develop offshore wind projects.

The bill was expected by many in the power industry in Brazil, with offshore windpower projects already under discussion and awaiting this law in northeastern states.

By Rebecca Gompertz