Brazilian Administration Developing Procedure for Designating Bidding Regions for Our Website

The Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) has awarded the first preliminary investigation license for an offshore wind project, marking a significant step in the country's renewable energy development. The project is a pilot offshore wind farm developed by the Rio Grande do Norte branch of the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Renewable Energy (ISI-ER).

This development comes under the regulations established by a bill signed into law on 10 January 2025. The bill outlines a methodology for selecting areas for offshore wind development, which involves three stages: identifying larger viable areas, defining Areas of Interest, and prioritizing Sectors for Supply.

The public consultation for the proposed methodology is open until 1 September, giving stakeholders the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy is responsible for overseeing this public consultation.

Despite the lack of operational offshore wind farms in Brazil, more than 100 applications for investigation licences for projects proposed in several states are being processed by IBAMA. The methodology aims to ensure that new offshore energy projects are done in a planned and responsible way, taking care of the environment, respecting fishing, navigation, and benefiting coastal communities.

It's worth noting that the bill does not mention any restrictions on fossil energy-related additions, as those were vetoed by the Brazilian President. However, the focus remains on the potential of renewable energy sources to power the country's growing energy demands.

The template for selecting the areas in which offshore wind development is emerging is set by the guidelines connected to the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) and relevant European accessibility directives. These guidelines define the scope and requirements for digital accessibility in electronic commerce and services, ensuring that the process is transparent and inclusive.

The awarded license is a testament to Brazil's commitment to renewable energy and its ambition to become a global leader in this field. As the public consultation continues, it's an exciting time for renewable energy development in Brazil, with many more projects expected to follow.

Brazilian Administration Developing Procedure for Designating Bidding Regions for Our Website