TotalEnergies and Petrobras, alongside Casa dos Ventos Holding, have inked a game-changing memorandum of understanding (MOU). This strategic partnership is set to explore and unlock the vast potential of low-carbon hydrogen and renewable energy projects in Brazil, including the promising realm of offshore wind.
Under the ambit of this two-year agreement, these three industry titans will embark on an ambitious journey to evaluate joint investment and offtake opportunities across a spectrum of renewable energy domains, including onshore wind, offshore wind, solar power, and the production of low-carbon hydrogen. The collaboration leverages the distinctive expertise and strengths of each company to create a dynamic synergy capable of redefining Brazil’s energy landscape.
This monumental partnership comes hot on the heels of Petrobras’ audacious plan to develop an awe-inspiring 23 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind projects in Brazil. This portfolio includes the groundbreaking concept of a floating wind farm off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Petrobras has already taken the pivotal step of initiating the environmental licensing process for ten offshore areas by submitting a formal request to Brazil’s Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).
TotalEnergies, too, is making waves in the Brazilian renewable energy arena, with bold offshore wind aspirations. The company has submitted applications to IBAMA for three offshore areas, boasting a combined capacity of 9 GW, with each area set to generate a staggering 3 GW of clean energy. These sites are strategically located off the coasts of Brazil’s Ceará, Rio de Janeiro, and Rio Grande do Sul states.
The collaboration between Petrobras and the French energy-heavyweight TotalEnergies extends beyond the realm of renewables. They are already strategic partners in Brazil’s exploration and production sector, notably in projects like Mero, Iara, Atapu, and Sépia. Their synergy has further deepened with a joint commitment to research and development dating back to 2017, according to Petrobras CEO Jean-Paul Prates.
The move to extend this powerful partnership into the renewables sector underscores both companies’ commitment to driving a just energy transition. Petrobras’ CEO Prates expressed, “The extension of this partnership to the renewables area is a natural step and fits in with the strategy of both companies to advance the just energy transition. Casa dos Ventos, in turn, adds its expertise in the development of onshore wind and solar generation projects in the Brazilian market.”
Speaking of Casa dos Ventos, this joint venture between TotalEnergies and the Brazilian renewable energy powerhouse boasts a substantial portfolio of 12 GW in wind and solar energy projects across Brazil. These projects are poised for development in the coming years and hold immense promise for furthering Brazil’s clean energy aspirations.
Brazil’s renewable energy landscape is on the cusp of a seismic shift, and this triumvirate of energy giants, with their combined vision and expertise, is undoubtedly a driving force behind this transformation. Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, aptly summed it up, saying, “Brazil is a great country for developing renewable energies. We are therefore delighted to join forces with Casa dos Ventos and Petrobras to identify potential synergies between our activities and thus develop profitable renewables opportunities.”
