Brazil's Paraíba State to Release Low-Carbon Hydrogen Industry Chain Potential Map in July

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The government of Paraíba state will release a comprehensive low-carbon hydrogen industry chain potential map in July this year, presenting the region's advantageous areas and constraints for developing this industry on an interactive digital platform. During an interview at the EVEx Brasil 2026 event in João Pessoa, Robson Barbosa, Executive Secretary of Energy and Energy Transition for Paraíba, stated that the study will be available on the state government portal, with indicators including water availability, proximity to highways, ports, and transmission systems.

The map was developed by the Federal University of Paraíba (Universidade Federal da Paraíba, UFPB) through the Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (Centro de Energias Alternativas e Renováveis, CEAR), employing a scoring methodology based on scientific criteria. Barbosa explained that entrepreneurs can filter areas with high water availability, proximity to federal highways and the Port of Cabedelo (Porto de Cabedelo), conducting preliminary feasibility analyses for hydrogen, ammonia, and other derivative projects, with assessments covering natural resources as well as available logistics and energy infrastructure.

Barbosa stated that this initiative is a first in Brazil, consolidating all variables necessary for corporate decision-making in the sector into a single digital environment. However, he also noted that renewable energy curtailment could hinder new investments, particularly in data centers, offshore wind, and green hydrogen. He indicated that the Northeast region faces generation curtailment issues due to the intermittency of solar and wind power and the lack of transmission lines, a problem linked to judicial restructuring processes in multiple states.

Barbosa acknowledged the existence of a "window of opportunity" that could close if Brazil fails to address generation and transmission bottlenecks. Global demand for data centers, offshore wind, and hydrogen is enormous, requiring solutions for generation and transmission to meet load demands, with battery auctions being one alternative to mitigate curtailment. Paraíba state has the highest solar irradiation index in Brazil and offers interactive solar and wind atlases to businesses. The state also provides tax incentives (ICMS), low-cost land concessions, and an AA+ treasury rating. Although the government has invested 65 billion reais in transmission lines, battery auctions remain a necessary measure to avoid delaying investments.