With the acquisition of Brazil’s ES Gás, Energisa joins a growing group of companies that operate both in the local oil and gas (O&G) and electric power markets.
As the energy transition progresses amid concerns over security of supply, domestic and multinational companies are diversifying their local portfolios, changing the traditional business landscape.
BNamericas looks at some of the major players investing simultaneously in O&G and power generation and/or distribution (regasification) in Brazil.
Petrobras
Brazil’s state-run oil giant operates several plants powered by local fields or LNG regasified natural gas at its terminals in Rio de Janeiro and Sierra state.
It is currently evaluating the potential to develop offshore wind and green hydrogen projects.
Equinor
The Norwegian company has PV solar projects in operation or under construction in Brazil and recently signed an MoU with Petrobras to study offshore wind projects.
ENEVA
The local private company is betting on new reservoir-to-wire (R2W) projects in the Pernaiba and Amazon basins, including thermal plants fueled by gas produced from its offshore fields.
Last year, Maranhao closed a deal with Eniva Vale to supply LNG to the state’s mining company.
Also in 2022, the company acquired Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe Participações (Celsepar), which holds all rights to the 1.6GW Porto de Sergipe plant expansion, with an additional pipeline of 3.2GW of expansion projects.
It is also developing the Futura I PV solar power complex in the state of Bahia, which will have a total installed capacity of 671MW.
Shell
The Anglo-Dutch major is part of a joint venture with Patria Investimentos and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems for the Marlim Azul thermal plant being built in Rio de Janeiro state, powered by its pre-salt natural gas.
Shell has several solar projects under development and is also eyeing the offshore wind market, submitting six ventures to federal agency EBAMA’s environmental review.
Kosan
Raízen, through a JV with Shell, the Brazilian group has biogas/biomethane projects that also generate electrical power.
Meanwhile, through Compass Gás e Energia, the company operates in the gas distribution segment and is building an LNG regasification terminal (TRSP) in São Paulo.
total power
Lapa, the operator of pre-salt fields and a partner in various Petrobras-operated offshore assets, formed a JV with Casa dos Ventos in 2022 to focus on the French multinational’s renewable energy production.
BP Energy
Through its 50-50 JV with Lightsource, the British group is building 4GWp of PV solar projects in Brazil.
It is also part of the Gas Natural Acu (GNA) consortium, which is responsible for building a natural gas hub at Rio de Janeiro’s Acu port (pictured) in partnership with Prumo Logistica, Siemens and State Power Investment Corporation.
GALP
The Portuguese company will invest US$5 billion in Brazil over the next 10-15 years, with 50% for oil and gas and the other half for renewable energy.
While developing a 5GW portfolio of wind and solar power, the company – which holds a stake in the country’s top-producing field Tupp – is also increasing its domestic natural gas sales.
source of energy
The group is developing a thermoelectric park at the Alagos onshore hub with a power generation capacity of 330 MW. The complex consists of seven flexible gas-to-wire plants.
We absorb energy
The Brazilian company operates offshore oil and gas fields in the states of Espirito Santo and Bahia and is building new thermal plants to be powered by its own hydrocarbon output.
vibrational energy
A former subsidiary of Petrobras, Vibra is investing in biogas/biomethane and renewable energy generation projects.
New fortress power
The US company is building liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals in the states of Santa Catarina and Para. In the latter case, the facility will supply gas to the Barcarena (Novo Tempo) thermal plant and Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery.
CEBA Energy
The company is developing the Portocem LNG-to-power project in Ceará, which includes a thermal plant scheduled to be commissioned in 2026.
Part of the gas will be sent to local distributor Segus through a new pipeline that will connect to a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).