Brazil could become exporter of green hydrogen, says president

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro, in a speech yesterday (10) at the second plenary session of the 9th Summit of the Americas, said that with a potential surplus production of offshore wind energy “equivalent to 50 Itaipu power plants,” Brazil will be able to become a significant exporter of green hydrogen and ammonia.

Bolsonaro recalled that Brazil has always been a pioneer of the energy transition and “started decarbonization almost half a century ago, with biofuels and other sources.

“Today, 85% of the energy generated in Brazil comes from renewable sources,” he added before talking about expectations for wind power generation with offshore turbines to be installed off the coast. “In 2021, we will set a new installation record for wind energy with 21 gigawatts (GW) and solar energy with 14 gigawatts (GW),” he said.

“We have the potential for excess offshore wind energy production in the order of 700 GW, which is four times our current installed capacity, or 50 Itaipu’s. Wind farms on the coast of our Northeast could produce hydrogen and green ammonia for export. At a time when developed countries are turning to fossil fuels, Brazil has a fundamental role as a clean energy supplier on the road to a new emissions-neutral economy,” said the Brazilian president.

Hydrogen is a fuel that requires a lot of energy to produce. Brazil intends to use energy generated from offshore installations (wind energy produced by turbines installed at sea) to make this hydrogen. When no polluting energy sources are used in creating this hydrogen, it is called “green hydrogen.”

MEETING WITH BIDEN

Bolsonaro also spoke about the talks he had the previous day with U.S. President Joe Biden in an extended bilateral meeting “and in a more reserved one” that lasted 30 minutes. “Yesterday’s experience with Biden was just fantastic. I’m amazed and believe in what he said and what was discussed in private between us,” he said.

“I sensed a lot of sincerity and willingness to solve certain problems that are not the responsibility of any of us, but together we will be able to look for alternatives to put an end to these conflicts,” he said, without clarifying whether he was referring to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

BRITISH JOURNALIST

Bolsonaro also spoke about the disappearance of British journalist Dom Phillips and indigene Bruno Pereira. The two were last seen on Sunday morning (5) in the region of the Vale do Javari, the second largest indigenous territory in the country with more than 8.5 million hectares, when they drove from the river municipality of São Rafael to the town of Atalaia do Norte (AM) and disappeared without a trace.

“From the first moment, our Armed Forces and the Federal Police have done an excellent job in the tireless search for their whereabouts. We pray to God that they will be found alive,” he said.

HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Bolsonaro highlighted granting visas to Afghans, Haitians, Ukrainians, Syrians, and Venezuelans as humanitarian measures developed by Brazil. To the Argentine government, he assured that he would continue the “Vaca Muerta Agreement,” which provides for the purchase of gas and oil from that region in the neighboring country. “This will be good for our countries,” he said, adding that he will continue to import gas produced in Bolivia.

“To the presidents of Guyana and Suriname, I would like to say that our recent visit to their countries is aimed at working together to explore oil and gas in their countries. You have something fantastic that God has given you: oil and gas reserves equivalent to 90% of Brazil’s reserves. I am sure your countries will emerge on the world economic stage together and with good, chosen partners.

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