Brazil's offshore wind energy potential assessment based on a Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Brazil is an emerging market for offshore wind energy, with its first projects having already applied for environmental permits. However, few studies have actually evaluated Brazil's offshore potential, and those analyses have focused on its gross resource potential. This paper thus aims to assess Brazil's offshore wind potential through a novel approach that allows for the evaluation and mapping of the potential in different levels (Gross, Technical and Environmental and Social) and highlights the most economically attractive areas for offshore wind deployment, following a Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. Results for Brazil show 1688 GW of Gross Potential, 1064 GW of Technical Potential and 330 GW of Environmental and Social Potential. The least economically attractive areas are mainly in the Southeast region, while the most attractive ones are concentrated in the Northeast region. The top ten areas for offshore development are also highlighted, totaling 126 GW of capacity. In short, this paper addresses the knowledge gap towards a comprehensive potential assessment for Brazil and concludes that the country has a significant offshore wind potential that can be sustainably deployed if proper siting criteria are applied. The approach proposed here is replicable and capable of informing the planning of sustainable offshore wind development in other regions or countries.

Automated summary

This study evaluates Brazil's offshore wind potential through a novel approach, finding a total potential of 1688 GW, technical potential of 1064 GW, and environmental and social potential of 330 GW. The Northeast region of Brazil is the most economically attractive area for offshore wind development, while the Southeast region is less attractive. The results show that Brazil has significant offshore wind potential that can be sustainably developed.