Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) is set to build its first pilot plant for renewable hydrogen at the Vale do Açu Thermoelectric Plant in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with a budget of $16 million.
The plant will utilize water electrolysis powered by solar energy to produce hydrogen, expected to begin operations in Q1 2026.
The existing Alto Rodrigues Photovoltaic Plant's capacity will increase from 1.1 MWp to 2.5 MWp, supporting a 2 MW electrolysis unit.
This initiative marks Petrobras as the first Brazilian company to explore renewable hydrogen integration with natural gas in microturbines.
Additionally, Petrobras is investigating carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects in Espírito Santo to decarbonize local industries, leveraging its expertise as a leading CO2 capturer.