Furnas hydroelectric plant and Portugal’s EDP have been granted the first certificates for green hydrogen produced in Brazil, aligning with international sustainability standards.
The Chamber of Electrical Energy Marketing (CCEE) confirmed the issuance of these certificates, emphasizing the adherence to global norms for certifying the “sustainability attributes” of green hydrogen derived from solar and hydraulic energy sources.
The certification, based on international standards and following the European model, categorizes solar and hydraulic energy as “renewable sources.” The green hydrogen production was conducted at the Itumbiara plant in the state of Minas Gerais and the sea port of Pecém in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, capital of Ceará.
The certification process, approved in sectoral meetings at the CCEE, operates within a “voluntary market” framework, allowing buyers to play a role in defining the rules. The move reflects Brazil’s commitment to aligning with global initiatives for the marketing and export of green hydrogen.
Anticipating the evolving landscape of green hydrogen, the Energy Transition Commission of the Chamber of Deputies in Brazil is poised for the first vote on the regulatory framework for green hydrogen. This legislative step is seen as crucial in legitimizing the market, enhancing logistics, and facilitating transportation.
The certification follows the issuance of the first environmental licenses for green hydrogen projects in Brazil by regional governments. Fortescue, an Australian company operating in the port of Pecém, and the Spanish group Solatio have received environmental licenses in Ceará and Piauí, respectively.
Ceará has secured significant investments, with 34 memorandums in place for green hydrogen production at the port of Pecém, totaling over $30 billion. Piauí has also announced memoranda of understanding with European companies for green hydrogen production, reflecting a growing interest and commitment to sustainable hydrogen initiatives in Brazil.
