(RB) The Senate’s SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE postponed the discussion on the legal framework for offshore wind farms this Tuesday (26), which will define rules for the operation of wind turbines in Brazilian waters.
The bill has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies, and articles have been included that require the country to increase its consumption of energy produced by thermal power plants and the exploration of coal and natural gas, which goes against the agreements signed by Brazil to accelerate the energy transition.
The presentation of Senator Weverton Rocha’s (PDT/MA) report was on the committee’s agenda for the day, but was removed from the agenda at the request of the parliamentarian, who requested seven more days to release the text.
Sources heard by Repórter Brasil state that the text approved by the Chamber of Deputies contains “serious contradictions” that favor the expansion of the use of fossil fuels and have negative impacts on fishing communities and biodiversity.
In addition to issues related to offshore power plants themselves, the text provides for the extension until 2050 of federal government contracts with coal-fired power plants, currently scheduled to expire in 2028. It also requires the contracting of inflexible natural gas power plants (on 24 hours a day) for longer periods throughout the year, and not only when there is a risk of electrical insecurity in the country.
According to Cássio Carvalho, advisor to Inesc (Institute of Socioeconomic Studies), the additions to the bill, known as “jabutis”, will increase greenhouse gas emissions, since coal and gas are highly polluting fossil fuels, going against global actions to decarbonize and address the climate crisis.
The expansion of natural gas power plants could also increase electricity bills and energy poverty, according to projections by the National Front of Energy Consumers, a coalition that brings together organizations that defend the rights of energy consumers. If these “jabutis” are approved, consumers may be forced to pay an additional amount of up to R$658 billion, or approximately R$25 billion per year. This would represent an 11% increase in the electricity bill, according to the organization’s calculations.
“As the electricity bill becomes more expensive, consumption, especially among low-income people, will be compromised, and they will have to choose whether to pay the electricity bill or buy food, personal hygiene items or even leisure items,” says Carvalho.
Abeeólica (Brazilian Wind Energy Association) said it was against the additions to the text and proposed the “removal of texts unrelated to the topic of offshore generation” from the bill. Despite this, the organization says it understands that the legal framework is important for the development of the offshore wind production chain and that it is a signal to investors that the country wants to advance in the development of this source.
Senator Weverton Rocha was contacted, but did not respond to questions from the report.
Maritime planning
To minimize impacts on traditional communities and the environment, Brazil has committed to completing its Marine Spatial Planning by 2030. The PEM should map the economic, social and ecological uses of the sea in order to avoid conflicts between sectors, create legal bases for maritime investments and implement an ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.
In the case of offshore wind farms, for example, this plan will define which areas can be explored and what the minimum distance between the coast and the parks will be – one of the main points of concern cited by the communities interviewed by Repórter Brasil.
Abeeólica considers the PEM to be an important guiding instrument, but says that, until the planning is ready, guidelines defined by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of the Environment can be followed.
“Brazil can take the lead in the energy transition, but hesitation in approving the regulatory framework could give space to other countries that are already advancing in the development of offshore wind farms, resulting in a possible loss of foreign investment in the country.”
For social movements and civil society organizations, the PEM should be adopted as a mandatory prerequisite for starting operations.
“Its adoption should be included in the law so that the installation of wind farms in the seas of Brazil is preceded by an instrument capable of avoiding conflicts over the use of maritime areas and protecting both marine-coastal ecosystems and coastal communities that depend on these environments,” argues Soraya Tupinambá, in a note released by GT Mar.
Cássio Carvalho argues that now is the time for the Brazilian government to think about the future. “The energy transition should not be just about replacing sources and perpetuating an unfair model like it is today,” he says. “We need to think about the future and what the future will be for.”
Brazil Energy Insight 
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