Ports and Terminals

Prumo, Ocean Winds sign offshore wind energy agreement for Açu Port

Sep, 12, 2023 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros

Week 202338

Ocean Winds (OW), an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and established as a 50-50 joint venture in 2020 by global EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prumo Logística, one of the key players in Brazil’s logistics and infrastructure sector, to promote offshore wind energy initiatives in the country.

The MoU was signed by Bautista Rodriguez, CEO of Ocean Winds, and Rogerio Zampronha, CEO of Prumo Logística, during the first day of the Brazil WindPower event. This solidifies their shared vision for the future of offshore wind energy in Brazil, at a time when the country aims to have the legal framework for the industry in place by year-end.

This partnership will facilitate the exchange of relevant information related to studies analyzing an offshore wind energy project within the influence area of Porto do Açu. OW and Prumo are committed to expanding their respective operations and optimizing results through this collaboration. Their joint effort includes conducting various critical studies for offshore wind energy projects, such as environmental and regulatory assessments, as well as financial and technical feasibility evaluations.

Mauro Andrade, Director of New Business at Prumo, believes that this partnership highlights Porto do Açu as the ideal location in the country for such projects. “Signing this agreement with OW shows that we are making progress in making Açu the primary base for installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance for offshore wind farms in the Southeast Region. The proximity to future offshore wind farms, the existing maritime logistics and support available at the port, which already serves the oil and gas industry and will also serve the offshore wind sector, and the establishment of the value chain with turbines, wind blades, cables, and towers, will make Porto do Açu the most competitive infrastructure to serve this emerging industry.”

Rafael Munilla, Director of Business Development at Ocean Winds, stated, “This collaboration underscores the firm commitment of both OW and Prumo to advance the offshore sector in Brazil through the most efficient and optimized processes for projects and ports. This partnership also highlights OW’s commitment to fostering the growth of a new and sustainable industry in the country, encouraging local opportunities and economic growth through collaboration with a key stakeholder and company within Brazil, such as Prumo.”

With a track record of over 10 years, currently operating 1.5 GW, building 2 GW, and developing over 13 GW of offshore wind energy worldwide with exclusive rights, Ocean Winds has been working with ports since the inception of the industry to ensure their readiness for future opportunities. For fixed-bottom offshore wind projects, ideal for Brazil, ports play a pivotal role. They serve as entry and storage points for equipment, facilitate assembly and maintenance before offshore transport, and act as crew transfer and ongoing operational hubs. Given the fundamental role of ports in offshore wind energy development, Ocean Winds and Prumo will focus on optimizing port facilities through the completion of necessary studies.

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