The recently approved Future Fuel Law (Law No. 14,993/2024) establishes an advanced framework in Brazil to support the development of sustainable fuels. With emphasis on biogas and biomethane, produced from biomass, these biofuels offer valuable opportunities both for fuel-consuming sectors, such as the maritime sector, and bio mass producers – even when derived as secondary products.
Relevance for the Maritime Sector
In the maritime sector, biomethane is particularly relevant as it serves as a way for producing bio-LNG and bio-methanol, both of which are being explored as sustainable marine fuel alternatives. Countries with advanced maritime industries, such as Norway, are actively considering these fuel routes. Whereas Brazil, with its abundant biomass resources, has the potential to become a key supplier of biofuels.
Additionally, biogas (in its unpurified biomethane form) is a crucial element for hydrogen production, which is itself relevant for producing ammonia. Ammonia is another promising alternative in the sustainable marine fuel landscape. Brazil’s capabilities in biogas production thus position it as a strategic player in the devel opment of clean energy solutions for the global maritime sector.
Infrastructure for Biogas and Biomethane route:
The law includes tax and regulatory incentives that encourage the produc tion and use of biofuels and establishes the National Program for Decar bonization of Natural Gas Producers and Importers. This program promotes research, production, commercialization, and consumption of biogas and bi omethane, acknowledging their role as low-carbon, sustainable alternatives.
A significant provision of the law aims to foster biometh ane plant projects that enable biomethane injection into the national natural gas network, where economically viable. By leveraging the existing natural gas infrastruc ture, this will expand the renewable gas market.
Certification:
The law also requires a Biomethane Guarantee of Origin Certificate (CGOB), issued by certifiers
accredited by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels Agency (ANP), which aims to provide
transparency and assurance about the environmen tal attributes of biomethane, generating traceability
based on the volume of biomethane produced and marketed by the biofuel producer, verifying the pro
duction process characteristics and including at least the origin of the input used for biomethane produc
tion, the production location, among others.
Targets for fossil natural gas producers and importers:
Beginning in 2026, the law requires fossil natural gas producers and importers to meet annual green
house gas reduction targets, starting with a 1% reduction and potentially increasing to 10%. These
targets shall be achieved by the acquisition of biom ethane or solely by the applicable CGOBs. Although
this requirement is not directly related to maritime fuels, it ensures a steady demand for biomethane
production facilities, which facilitates the structuring of biomethane projects and, consequently, strength
ens the supply of this biofuel in the market.
Although beyond the scope of this article, the Fu ture Fuel Law also addresses other sustainable fuels,
such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, green diesel, low carbon mobility, and CO2 transportation, capture,
and geological storage activities, which publicly authorized companies may be granted contracts of
up to 30 years, with the possibility of renewal.
In summary, the Future Fuel Law represents a pivotal step in solidifying Brazil’s position as a lead
ing supplier of biofuels, supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors such as
the maritime.
In 2024, Statkraft achieved significant milestones with the inau guration of two major wind projects and the start of construction of hybrid projects. Between February and August, the company
inaugurated the Group’s largest project outside Europe, the Ventos de Santa Eugênia Wind Complex, and the Morro do Cruzeiro Wind Farm, an expansion of the Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex, an
asset that has been in operation for over 12 years, both located in the interior of Bahia.
In addition to these inaugurations, the company began construction of two hybrid projects, which combine solar and wind energy generation. The projects comply with Aneel’s regulations for hybrid plants and will utilize the complementarity of their wind and solar power generation plants.
The hybrid projects, Santa Eugênia Solar and Morro do Cruzeiro Solar, are expected to start operating in 2025 and will inject 228 MW (or 274 MWp) of photovoltaic solar generation. Thus, when completed, adding the 688 MW of wind energy, the two wind-solar projects will reach almost 1GW of installed capacity. During the construction phase, the company expects to generate more than 1,000 direct jobs.
Technology and Innovation with BESS Batteries
The construction of the Santa Eugênia Solar project represents an innova tion for Statkraft, which will integrate a storage system with BESS batteries into its portfolio. Coupled with hybrid power generation, the system will bring more flexibility to the Complex.
Largest Onshore Wind Turbine in Brazil
Continuing its commitment to innovation, Statkraft is implementing the largest wind turbine in Brazil
at the Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex in Bahia. Developed in partnership with WEG S.A., the project
involves the installation and certification of the AGW172/7.X (7MW) wind turbine. This equipment,
the result of a partnership between WEG and Petro bras, is the first onshore wind turbine of this size to
be designed and manufactured in the country.
More Solar Energy
After acquiring Enerfin Brasil, Statkraft incorpo rated the Serrita Solar Complex, which will produce
renewable energy in Salgueiro, 518 km from the capital of the state of Pernambuco, Recife. Located
in Sítio Marrecas, the project includes the Serrita I and II photovoltaic plants, whose construction
began in August 2023.
With an installed capacity of 60 MW — 30 MW in each park — the Complex will supply 52 con
sumer units in Pernambuco through a public-private partnership (PPP).
Fonte: NordicLight