Brazil seeks to develop offshore wind energy

Sao Paulo. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a bill late Friday authorizing the development of offshore wind farms, in an attempt to bolster the country’s energy security and trigger a wave of investment.

The new law provides incentives for the development of marine energy projects in Brazilian territorial waters, the statement said.

Wind speeds offshore tend to be faster and more constant than on land, a potential advantage compared to wind farms built on a continent. But offshore wind farms can be expensive, difficult to build and potentially harm marine animals and birds, according to the American Geosciences Institute.

The Brazilian government stated that the law establishes guidelines for projects and restoration of explored areas, in addition to requiring prior consultations with affected communities to ensure respect for traditional maritime practices and local culture.

More than 80 percent of Brazil’s electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly hydroelectric, according to government data.

The president vetoed provisions of the law, introduced during the debate in Congress, that would maintain incentives for more polluting, expensive and inefficient energy sources, such as thermoelectric, coal and gas plantsadds the statement.