EnergyOMNI's Perspectives｜Brazil Establishes Offshore Wind Guidelines

Edited by EnergyOMNI

Brazil has a coastline of nearly 7,500 kilometers and abundant offshore wind resources, positioning it to become a pioneer in offshore wind development in Latin America. According to the World Bank, by 2050 Brazil's offshore wind sector is expected to create 516,000 full-time jobs and contribute more than USD 160 billion to the country's GDP.

Recently, the Brazilian government has continued to advance its legislative framework. In addition to passing the Law on Offshore Wind Energy in January last year, it further announced offshore wind development guidelines in April this year, with a draft executive decree expected to be completed in May.

According to the 2026 Global Offshore Wind Report published by international law firm Orrick, Brazil's offshore wind development potential could reach as much as 700 GW, particularly in the northeastern offshore region, which benefits from strong and stable wind resources. Meanwhile, a 2024 World Bank assessment estimates Brazil's total wind power potential at over 1,200 GW, including 480 GW of fixed-bottom wind and nearly 750 GW of floating wind. The report also notes that by 2050, under a baseline growth scenario, Brazil could achieve at least 16 GW of installed offshore wind capacity; with supportive policies, regulations, and infrastructure in place, this could increase to as much as 96 GW.

As of March 2025, according to the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), there are 104 offshore wind projects undergoing environmental licensing, with a combined capacity of approximately 247 GW. The majority of these projects are located off the northeastern coast, where 50 projects alone account for up to 113 GW. Numerous international developers have also entered the market, including Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies. EDF Renewables has likewise signed multiple memoranda of understanding in Brazil, focusing on the development of low-carbon hydrogen production.

Brazil's offshore wind market continues to gain momentum. In January 2025, the president signed Law No. 15,097 (the Law on Offshore Wind Energy), which officially came into force, marking the formal establishment of a legal framework for offshore wind in Brazil.

The Law on Offshore Wind Energy applies to inland waters under federal jurisdiction, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf. It establishes two mechanisms for allocating seabed use rights. The first is the Permanent Offer model, under which the government designates areas based on developer applications and grants rights through an authorization regime. The second is the Planned Offer model, where the government pre-defines development zones and allocates seabed rights through a competitive bidding process under a concession regime. The main award criterion is the highest government take. Government revenues may include a signature bonus, seabed occupation fees, or revenue-sharing mechanisms based on electricity generation or project income. The law also allows for dedicated offshore wind auctions in the future, although no specific timeline has yet been announced.

In October of the same year, the government established an offshore wind working group (GT-EO), which includes not only the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) but also 23 industry organizations. On April 1 2026, Brazil announced offshore wind development guidelines, including criteria for defining development zones, allowing the National Energy Policy Council to designate priority development areas, and laying the groundwork for future auctions. The Ministry of Mines and Energy is currently advancing the development of implementing regulations, with a draft executive decree under the Law on Offshore Wind Energy expected to be completed by May.