PETROBRAS ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST PLANT FOR RENEWABLE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Petrobras announced plans to build its first pilot plant for renewable hydrogen at the Vale do Açu Thermoelectric Plant in Alto do Rodrigues, Rio Grande do Norte, with operations expected to begin in Q1 2026. The plant will generate renewable hydrogen through solar-powered water electrolysis, which separates hydrogen and oxygen. Maurício Tolmasquim, Petrobras’ Director of Energy Transition, stated this project is crucial for the company’s decarbonization strategy and future sustainable hydrogen initiatives. The Alto Rodrigues Photovoltaic Plant’s capacity will increase from 1.1 MWp to 2.5 MWp to support the 2 MW electrolysis unit. The hydrogen produced will be used for power generation and tested for its integration with natural gas in microturbines. The project has a budget of R$90 million and is in collaboration with the Senai Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energy, with WEG overseeing construction.
Source: RPA News