Brazil's paradise (and energy-rich) island that eliminates CO2

Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago about 350 kilometers off the northeast coast of Brazil. It takes its name from the largest island, a protected marine national park and ecological sanctuary with a rugged coastline and a great diversity of ecosystems. It is famous for its unspoiled beaches and is perfect for scuba diving, as sea turtles, rays, dolphins, and reef sharks swim in its warm, crystal-clear waters. A natural paradise and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has made a strong commitment to decarbonization. The goal is for the main island to be entirely powered by green electricity by 2027. Neoenergia, Iberdrola's subsidiary in Brazil, has begun construction of the Noronha Verde Solar Power Plant, a milestone for the energy transition in the archipelago. With an investment of 350 million reais (approximately 50 million euros), this pioneering project in Brazil envisions the installation of more than 30,000 photovoltaic solar panels integrated with advanced battery storage systems (BESS), aiming to decarbonize the archipelago's energy generation. The initiative is part of the More for Noronha Program and is a collaborative effort between the Federal Government through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Government of the State of Pernambuco. Implementation will take place in two phases: the first will be operational by May 2026, and the second in the first half of 2027. The project has been authorized by the Pernambuco State Environmental Agency (CPRH), with the consent of ICMBio, the manager of the Federal Conservation Unit, according to Neger.

The new photovoltaic solar plant integrated with a battery storage system will have a generation capacity of 22 MWp, with 49 MWh from the BESS system (batteries), equivalent to the consumption of 9,000 homes. Currently, the energy consumed in Fernando de Noronha is generated by the Tubarão Plant, primarily using biodiesel. In addition to reducing dependence on this fuel, the new generation model will also reduce the charges and subsidies from the Sectoral Energy Development Account (CDE), currently paid through the Fuel Consumption Account (CCC), which subsidizes the energy generated on the island.

In addition to lowering electricity costs, the new system will prevent the burning of 27,000 liters of diesel daily, which are currently transported by sea to supply the island, resulting in a savings of 22,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. "The Noronha Green Power Plant, like the other initiatives of the More for Noronha Program, reaffirms Neoenergia's leading role in decarbonization and demonstrates the company's commitment to preserving ecological sanctuaries," explained Neoenergia CEO Eduardo Capelastegui. "We will continue to use innovation combined with sustainability to make the energy transition accessible to everyone," the executive said at the start of construction.

The project has opted for energy independence with photovoltaic plants, foregoing wind farms due to their impact on bird migration routes. The solar installations will occupy the equivalent of 25 football fields, equivalent to 1.5% of the island's territory, in unprotected areas, as the island is a World Heritage Site.

Floating photovoltaics

In addition to launching the Noronha Verde project, Neoenergia has installed the archipelago's first floating photovoltaic solar plant in Açude do Xaréu. With an investment of 10 million reais, the floating plant has a capacity of 622 kWp and an estimated generation of 1,083 MWh/year, enough to supply approximately 30% of the energy consumption of the Companhia Pernambucana de Saneamento (Compesa) on the island and prevent the emission of 71.

Besides the construction of the Noronha Verde Plant, the More for Noronha Program encompasses a series of actions that include sustainable mobility, technological innovation, and the expansion of non-polluting energy sources in the territory. Neoenergia has invested in sustainability through sustainable mobility, technological innovation, and incentives for distributed microgeneration. The program's initiatives include the installation of solar water heating systems in about twenty guesthouses; The replacement of old refrigerators and donation of energy-efficient light bulbs to residents; the installation of the first nine photovoltaic systems in homes, businesses, public bodies, and NGOs; and the construction of the Noronha I and II solar power plants, which supplied up to 5% of the archipelago's electricity consumption. Other actions include two solar power plants to supply electric vehicles, with 12 charging stations at strategic points within the block; the provision of 14 electric vehicles for circulation within the block; the promotion of electric bicycle use, with free charging stations; and the replacement of all electricity meters.