Petrobras has awarded Fugro a contract for a geotechnical site investigation for its first offshore wind project, a pilot proposed off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
This 18 MW offshore wind pilot project is the first such initiative in South America to progress under a formal environmental licensing process, says Fugro.
Fugro will conduct studies within the nearshore area off São João da Barra, gathering data to guide the project’s design. The scope includes soil sampling, in situ testing, and laboratory analysis at four coastal and shallow-water sites, along with onshore investigations for cable landfall and routing.
The work will commence in April, continuing through the third quarter of 2026, with final reports expected in 2027. Fugro’s Brazil-based teams will lead the geotechnical survey, coordinating nearshore operations from the Rio das Ostras hub and conducting laboratory analysis at the Pinhais facility.
“As South America advances its offshore wind goals, early Geo‑data is crucial for reducing uncertainty and ensuring project success,” stated Céline Gerson, President and Group Director for Fugro in the Americas. “Partnering with Petrobras at this early stage helps lay the technical groundwork for responsibly progressing offshore wind and expanding future energy options in Brazil and the region.”
The Rio de Janeiro pilot is part of Petrobras’ broader strategy to explore offshore renewables, serving as a testbed for technologies and project development approaches before potential commercial expansion.
Located offshore São João da Barra, the 18 MW project entered the environmental licensing process with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) at the start of 2024. Project documents on IBAMA’s website indicate it will feature just one wind turbine with an 18 MW capacity.
In 2024, Petrobras signed a Protocol of Intentions with the Rio de Janeiro state government to conduct joint feasibility studies for the offshore wind pilot project.
By June 2025, the company had opened tenders for geophysical and geotechnical studies to evaluate the project’s feasibility.
In 2023, Petrobras announced plans to develop up to 23 GW of offshore wind capacity in Brazil, including a floating wind project in Rio de Janeiro, and sought environmental licensing for ten areas along the Brazilian coast.
In April 2024, the company deployed a floating LiDAR buoy in the Areia Branca sea, off Rio Grande do Norte, for offshore wind measurement. By October, Petrobras had announced plans to deploy five additional Brazil-made floating LiDAR units for wind measurements along the coast.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz