Working towards a long-term energy transition

Brazil’s offshore wind sector is poised for significant expansion, leveraging its vast coastal resources and strong wind conditions. As the country works toward its long-term energy transition, offshore wind—both fixed-bottom and floating—has emerged as a key pillar in diversifying its clean energy mix.

Installed capacity and growth

• Technical potential: Brazil has an estimated 1,200 GW of offshore wind potential, with 480 GW suited for fixed-bottom turbines (depths under 70m) and 748 GW for floating turbines (depths from 70m to 1,000m).
• Current installed capacity: Although Brazil currently has no operational offshore wind farms, multiple projects are in the early stages of development, aiming for commercial operations in the coming years.
• Growth scenarios: The World Bank’s offshore wind roadmap outlines different growth trajectories:
  • Base scenario: 16 GW by 2050 (~3% of Brazil’s electricity supply).
  • Intermediate scenario: 32 GW by 2050 (~6% of electricity supply).
  • Ambitious scenario: 96 GW by 2050 (~19% of electricity supply), positioning Brazil as a global offshore wind leader.

Government ambitions

• Energy transition strategy: Brazil views offshore wind as a complement to its hydropower-dominated electricity mix, particularly as hydro capacity expansion slows. Offshore wind could provide a stable and countercyclical energy source.
• Green hydrogen synergy: The government has set ambitious goals for green hydrogen (GH2) production, with offshore wind playing a crucial role in supplying the necessary renewable energy. By 2050, Brazil aims to meet 5% of global GH2 demand, requiring close to 100 GW of new renewables.
• Transmission infrastructure: Investment in grid expansion and port upgrades is expected to facilitate offshore wind development and ensure smooth integration with the national grid.

Current and upcoming projects

• Port of Pecém (Northeast Brazil): A key hub for offshore wind and green hydrogen development, benefiting from strong wind conditions and proximity to industrial centers.
• Port of Açu (Southeast Brazil): Positioned as a potential offshore wind logistics and manufacturing center.
• Floating wind potential: Given Brazil’s deep coastal waters, floating wind technology is expected to play a significant role, particularly in the Southeast and South regions.
• Integration with oil & gas infrastructure: Offshore wind farms may leverage Brazil’s existing offshore oil platforms for hybrid renewable energy solutions.

Recent developments

• Regulatory framework: The Brazilian government is working on clear policies for offshore wind auctions, licensing, and grid connection processes to attract investment.
• Economic impact: Under the ambitious growth scenario, offshore wind could generate 516,000 full-time jobs by 2050 and contribute $168 billion in gross value-added (GVA) to the economy.
• Environmental considerations: Careful marine spatial planning is underway to balance offshore wind development with biodiversity protection and existing sea uses (e.g., fishing, shipping).

With one of the world’s strongest offshore wind potentials, Brazil is at a turning point in its renewable energy expansion. While initial projects may face high costs, long-term investments in infrastructure, policy support, and green hydrogen integration could make offshore wind a major contributor to the country’s clean energy transition. If Brazil pursues the ambitious scenario, it has the potential to become a global leader in offshore wind by 2050.

This information is updated in March 2025

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