Petrobrás and WEG, a global Brazilian electrical and electronic equipment company, signed a strategic partnership agreement for the joint development of a 7-MW onshore wind turbine, the first of this size, and the largest to be manufactured in Brazil. This project represents an important milestone for Petrobrás, as it will raise its know-how in wind power technology, in addition to promoting Brazil’s energy transition.
The wind turbine will be 722 ft. (220 m) high from the ground to the blade tip — equivalent to six Christ The Redeemer statues — and weigh 1830 tons (1660 tonnes), the weight of approximately 1660 family cars or 44 Boeing 737s. Petrobrás will invest US$26.5 million in the project, which is already under development by WEG. The agreement covers the development of technologies for manufacturing wind turbine components suitable for the country’s wind conditions, as well as the construction and testing of a prototype, with technical and commercial considerations by Petrobrás. WEG predicts to start series production of the equipment in 2025.
Onshore Wind As A Lever For Offshore Wind
In addition to playing a role in the expansion of national onshore wind power, the development of this 7-MW wind turbine will have a positive impact on the future of offshore wind power in Brazil. “As Petrobrás develops expertise and knowledge in the production of high-capacity wind turbines onshore, it paves the way for the development of larger wind turbines, which will be employed in offshore generation projects. On this journey, the transition to offshore wind power offers opportunities to explore the vast wind potential in the country’s coast,” said Petrobrás Chief Executive Officer Jean Paul Prates.
The agreement also promotes the development the next generation of Brazilian wind turbines. “This project is a crucial step toward the development of a new generation of offshore wind energy equipment, which has great potential for expansion on the Brazilian coast. The experience we will gain with the development of these wind turbines will help us further explore the opportunities of our wind resources, contributing to the diversification of our energy mix and the reduction of our carbon footprint,” said Petrobrás Engineering, Technology, and Innovation Officer Carlos José Travassos.
“Through this partnership with Petrobrás, we are bringing together our expertise, resources, and knowledge to boost our country’s research and development of wind turbines, strengthening WEG’s commitment to renewable energy and the development of national technology,” explained WEG’s Energy Superintendent Director João Paulo Gualberto da Silva.
