Brazil planning to launch offshore wind tender in 2025

Brazil is planning to launch its first tender for offshore wind power generation areas in December 2025, a source close to the matter told BNamericas. 

The recently approved offshore wind regulatory framework deals with the use of federal property to generate electricity via concessions or other authorizations.

According to the text, which is still subject to presidential approval, authorizations can come through a permanent or a planned offer. In the case of a permanent offer, the government delimits areas for use based on requests from interested parties. The concession is awarded through the authorization modality, via a public call for bids.

In the planned offer, the public authority defines the areas for use according to the competent body. These are put out to tender under the concession modality.

According to the proposal, the executive branch must define which locations can be subject to offshore energy generation, areas called “prisms.” The regulation will also establish which prisms can be suggested by interested parties and which must be determined by the awarding body. 

Once an expression of interest has been received, the awarding authority must launch a public call for tenders, with a minimum deadline of 120 days, to identify other interested parties. If there is only one expression of interest for a given area, the government can grant the authorization – as long as the interested party meets the minimum qualification requirements set out in the regulation.

The government's offshore wind working group is expected to publish an inter-ministerial ordinance on the declaration of prior interference (DIP) in the first half of next year. 

A necessary step for holding the auction, the DIP identifies whether there are any interferences from other installations or activities at the site where an offshore wind farm would be installed. 

The regulatory framework prohibits electricity generation in certain offshore areas to avoid or reduce potential conflicts. The ban applies to:

– Offshore oil and gas licenses

– Maritime, river, lake or air navigation routes

– Areas protected by environmental legislation

– Areas listed as cultural and natural beauty tourist sites

– Areas reserved for exercises by the armed forces

– Areas designated with a term of authorization for sustainable use in the territorial sea

In the case of oil exploration blocks, prisms can be authorized as long as activities are compatible. Similarly, the sectors granted to explore offshore electricity potential can be transferred to other activities, if there is compatibility.

When contacted by BNamericas, the mines and energy ministry said it is evaluating the stages of regulation and has been holding coordination meetings with the other institutions to present a timetable after the law is promulgated by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.