Mines and Energy minister secures green hydrogen investment in Brazil

Alexandre Silveira, Brazil’s minister of Mines and Energy, paid a visit to Iberdrola's Puertollano plant in Spain on Monday (24/6), where the company manufactures H2V for a nitrogen fertilizer factory. During the visit, the minister committed to investing BRL 30 million in the building of a green hydrogen plant in Brazil.

"This visit was significant. In addition to witnessing how this hydrogen plant operates here in Spain, I was able to get BRL 30 million from Iberdrola's global CEO, Ignacio Galán, for the groundbreaking research and development (R&D) project of the H2V plant that will be launched in Brasilia. Hydrogen will make all the difference for Brazil to develop and stand out as a producer," said the minister.

Neoenergia plans to build a factory in Brasília by 2025. It will be one of the first H2V supply stations in the country, providing fuel for buses and automobiles. A photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 150kWp will supply energy to the unit.

Silveira underscored that the diversity of Brazil's energy sources is a crucial factor for investment in the country. "Our policies are on the right track. We are preparing the groundwork for firms to invest in Brazil and our diversity of energy sources is a key component. We are examining examples from throughout the world to be able to develop industrial plants in the northeast of Brazil and Iberdrola has assured that it will participate in these investments," he said.

The Puertollano plant has been operational since 2022 and is the largest of its kind in Europe. It is comprised of a 100MW photovoltaic solar park, a set of lithium-ion batteries with 20MWh storage capacity and a 20MW green hydrogen generation plant using electrolysis. Everything is manufactured from 100% renewable resources.

This technology allowed the fertilizer plant to cut its natural gas demand by more than 10%, becoming the first European large-scale experiment in producing green nitrogen fertilizer.

OTHER INVESTMENTS – During this visit, the minister met with Neoenergia CEO Eduardo Capelastegui. The minister emphasized the importance of the company's investment in green hydrogen. Neoenergia has five cooperation agreements with governments and businesses for low-carbon green hydrogen projects in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro.

"By investing in green hydrogen in association with transmission lines, we have secured over BRL 25 billion in investment from Neoenergia, which will bring in more development, jobs and income and help consolidate Brazil as a world leader in the energy transition," concluded Alexandre Silveira.

Special Social Communication Office - MME
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