Posted on April 8, 2024
Global offshore wind developer Corio Generation and Brazilian port developer Prumo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore using the Port of Açu, north of Rio de Janeiro, for the deployment of Corio’s future offshore wind projects – expected to be among the first wave of offshore wind farms built in Brazil.
Corio is aiming to develop five Brazilian offshore wind farms, totalling up to 6 GW, as part of its growing 30+ GW global portfolio of projects across the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Sites for the proposed fixed-bottom wind farms in Brazil, each around 1.2 GW in size, have been registered in the country’s north-eastern, south-eastern and southern maritime areas.
Port of Açu, the largest deep water and private industrial port complex in Latin America, is expected to play a key role in supporting Brazil’s offshore wind sector due to its location and proximity to proposed wind farm sites. The MOU agreed between Corio and Prumo will see the two companies explore using the Port of Açu as a strategic base for Corio’s offshore wind deployment, involving the potential reservation of a dedicated area for future wind farm installation, operation and maintenance.
Jonathan Cole, CEO of Corio Generation, a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management, said: ‘To support the deployment of offshore wind farms in Brazil, it is critical that we have first-class port infrastructure for wind farm installation, operation and maintenance. At Corio we know how important partnerships are to the successful delivery of major energy infrastructure. This is why we’re delighted to work with regional leader Prumo to explore the future potential of the Port of Açu as a strategic base for a pioneering new industry that could bring enormous benefits to the people of Brazil.’
Rogério Zampronha, CEO of Prumo, said: ‘We’re happy to celebrate this partnership with Corio, a renewables giant. We already have 33 GW of offshore wind projects off the coast of the Port of Açu under licence by Ibama (the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources). Around 35% of a wind project is logistical, so this makes the Port of Açu with its excellent infrastructure an unbeatable solution for the installation of these wind farms.’
The CEOs met in Rio de Janeiro at the Brazil Offshore Wind Summit, which is sponsored by Corio Generation and organised by Brazilian wind industry association ABEEólica and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Mr Cole, who is Chairman of GWEC, addressed the Summit on its opening day, saying: ‘This is a pivotal moment in Brazil’s energy transition, with great strides being made by leading Brazilian companies to diversify the power mix, expand energy access and enhance energy security. As one of the world’s leading offshore wind developers, Corio believes offshore wind power can play an increasingly important and complementary role in this transition as a proven and reliable renewable energy technology.
‘Building a sustainable offshore wind sector involves forging strong partnerships between government, developers, suppliers and local communities. That’s why I’m delighted to be joining the Brazil Offshore Wind Summit in Rio de Janeiro: to share Corio’s global insights and listen to a wide variety of perspectives on how to shape a future industrial framework that allows the sector to flourish and delivers long-term investment and economic development,’ he added.
Corio is developing its proposed 6 GW portfolio of fixed-bottom offshore wind projects in Brazil together with Servtec, a leading power generation company which played a major role in the establishment of the country’s onshore wind industry.
Find out more on Corio’s website: www.coriogeneration.com/brazil
