The event brought together around 300 people from companies, public authorities and civil society, and was attended by the governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Fátima Bezerra
With investment in innovation, Brazil can have access to new technologies, aimed at renewable energy, green hydrogen, storage systems and circular processes. This is one of the findings of the CEBDS 2024 Seminar: Fair Energy Transition, integrated with Nature and Society, held this Wednesday (28/08), in Natal.
“Green hydrogen is seen as a key solution to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry, long-distance transportation and steel production. It can also be used in a variety of applications, such as fuel in hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles, in the production of ammonia, residential heating, and as a viable storage option for excess energy generated by renewable sources,” said Marina Grossi, president of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS).
During her opening speech, she also pointed out that Brazil has the potential to be a leader in the new geopolitics, based on a low-carbon economy, and that to promote a just transition it is essential to put people at the center of decision-making by governments, companies and civil society. “Green hydrogen, our neo-industrialization, low-carbon steel and biofuels are solutions from Brazil for the entire world,” she said.
In early August, the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Legal Framework, which provides greater legal certainty for attracting investment, was approved. The Low-Carbon Hydrogen Law was one of the highlights of the seminar, which was attended by the governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Fátima Bezerra.
“The commitment is in place. And that is where the role of the Northeast and Rio Grande do Norte comes in. The Northeast is responsible for more than 85% of renewable energy production in the country. Wind power is the predominant form. But we have seen the growth of solar and offshore energy, boosted by green hydrogen,” highlighted the governor, citing the signing, last week, of a contract for the installation of a pilot green hydrogen plant in the state. With this, the state will be the first in the country to adopt green hydrogen as a fuel for the cement industry, replacing petroleum derivatives.
The meeting was divided into six panels, which addressed topics such as challenges and opportunities for the transition from a multidimensional perspective; the regulatory issue for developing clean energy technologies; financing for the transition; regenerative agriculture as a way to combat food insecurity and the climate crisis; biodiversity; and the adoption of climate actions by companies to reduce risks and adverse impacts.
“Of the six major global agendas currently under focus by UN governance and investment banks, Brazil can position itself as a leader in three of them, namely the energy transition, climate and food security agendas,” highlighted Gabriel Azevedo, general director of strategy at IDB Invest during panel 3, “Financing the future,” focused on financing and the role of multilateral and development banks in mobilizing resources for sustainable projects.
During the event, the winners of the 7th edition of the CEBDS Women's Leadership Award were also announced, and CEBDS awarded, in a social action supported by DevMedia, 20 full scholarships for the training of programmers. The scholarships will benefit young people and adults supported by local NGOs.
The CEBDS 2024 Seminar brought together around 300 people and was sponsored by Banco do Nordeste, the Federal Government, Equinor, Nestlé, Vale, Caixa, Eletrobras and Neoenergia, and with institutional support from ABEEólica, ABRACE, ABRAGE, Deep ESG, DevMedia, Fecomércio RN, SESC and Globo.
Rio Grande do Norte generates 30.2% of all wind production in Brazil
Rio Grande do Norte is currently the national leader in wind energy production, which jumped from less than 1% of the Brazilian electricity matrix 20 years ago to the current 15.9%.
Furthermore, the Northeast region can benefit greatly from the energy transition, as it is rich in renewable resources, such as sun and wind, and has the potential to lead in trends such as green hydrogen.
“This new development model must consider the strategic use of our environmental assets to promote prosperity, address our great social liabilities and promote understanding and integration of the needs and expectations of local communities,” concluded Marina Grossi.
The economic growth of the Northeast region is above the national average in 2024. In the first quarter, it grew 3.2%, surpassing the national average, which was 1%. At the same time, improvements can be observed in the Human Development Index (HDI) of municipalities in the region that have been receiving renewable energy projects.
