Brazil's SENAI Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energy (ISI-ER) expects to receive a license for an offshore wind pilot project in Rio Grande do Norte in the second half of 2024. This progress marks an important breakthrough for the institute in the field of offshore wind power and will provide valuable data support for future offshore wind power projects in Brazil.

Back in early 2023, ISI-ER submitted an application to the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) to request an environmental license for a twin-turbine 22 MW offshore wind project off the coast of Areia Branca. The project, located approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of Areia Branca, aims to collect data on the performance of offshore wind technology through testing under actual operating conditions.

According to ISI-ER, this test project will focus on the performance of offshore wind power equipment under specific conditions in the Brazilian equatorial waters, including safety and functionality evaluation, power performance analysis, mechanical load testing, noise measurement, voltage support and droop analysis and power quality monitoring. The collection of these data will provide an important reference for subsequent offshore wind power projects.

At the Brazilian Offshore Wind Summit at the end of March, ISI-ER director and its regional unit head Rodrigo Mello detailed the latest progress on the project. Mello said the project is currently at a very mature stage and they will complete the preparation of environmental impact documents this semester and expect to obtain a permit from IBAMA next semester. He also revealed that communication with IBAMA has been ongoing, and the two parties have had in-depth discussions on the licensing process.

In addition, work is underway to identify foundation types and wind turbine models, as well as to raise funds for research projects. Mello expects significant progress will be made on other related work once the environmental permitting process is completed. The project timeline will depend on the completion of these activities.

In addition to the pilot project in Rio Grande do Norte, ISI-ER is also exploring the possibility of launching another deepwater pilot project in Rio de Janeiro. It is reported that this project will involve different technical solutions and is expected to further expand Brazil’s offshore wind power development capabilities in deep water areas.

Overall, the efforts and results of the Brazilian SENAI Institute for Renewable Energy Innovation (ISI-ER) in the field of offshore wind power are impressive. With the advancement of pilot projects and the collection of data, Brazil is expected to become an important force in the field of offshore wind power in the future and contribute more to the development of global renewable energy.

Editor/Zhao E