2026 could be a decisive year for green hydrogen in Brazil. According to an article published by Estadão this Sunday (11), projects that add up to more than BRL 64 billion in investments final investment decisions (FIDs) are awaited for this year, with direct effects on industry, energy infrastructure, international competitiveness and the advancement of energy transition Brazilian
O green hydrogen It will now occupy a strategic position on Brazil’s economic and environmental agenda.This growth is driven by a combination of renewable energy sources, interest from international investors, and increasing global demand for low-carbon solutions. However, the realization of these investments depends on regulatory advancements and the consolidation of technical conditions, especially regarding access to electricity transmission and the definition of the sector’s legal framework.
Green hydrogen, investments, and Brazil at the center of the global energy transition.
The projects with FIDs planned for 2026 total… 6,15 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity, a volume that positions Brazil among the countries with the largest portfolio of structured projects in green hydrogenMost of these initiatives are focused on the production of byproducts such as green ammonia and methanol, products with growing demand in the European and Asian markets.
International interest reinforces Brazil’s attractiveness as a production platform.This is especially due to the availability of competitive renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy. This advantage allows for a reduction in the carbon intensity of fuel and improves the economic viability of projects.
Furthermore, the growth of these investments signals a structural shift in the Brazilian energy industry, which is beginning to incorporate green hydrogen as a driver of growth, exports, and technological innovation.
Renewable energy
Investments of R$210 billion in 2025 position Ceará as a national benchmark in industry, energy transition, green hydrogen, advanced technology, data centers, and more.
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Ceará is home to green hydrogen and large-scale industrial investments.
O Pecém Industrial and Port ComplexThe state of Ceará is emerging as the main national hub for green hydrogen. The region offers logistical advantages, proximity to renewable energy sources, and port infrastructure prepared for export.
The most advanced project is that of Fortescue, with an estimated investment of $ 18 billionThe project has already completed the conceptual engineering work, has a pre-contract with the Port of Pecém, and has a preliminary environmental license for installation, factors that put it ahead in the schedule for final decisions.
Besides Fortescue, other relevant projects in Pecém include Initiatives from Casa dos Ventos, FRV, Voltalia, and Qair. Together, these ventures represent tens of billions of reais in investments and have a predominant focus on the production of green ammonia, considered strategic both for export and for the decarbonization of the fertilizer sector.
Expansion of investments in green hydrogen beyond the Northeast.
Although Ceará concentrates the majority of the projects, the advancement of green hydrogen in Brazil also reaches other regions. In Pernambuco, the European Energy develops a project in Port of Suape, with an estimated investment of $ 2 billionThe initiative is already in advanced negotiations with shipping companies interested in the green methanol that is expected to be produced from 2028 onwards.
In the Southeast, the Atlas Agro advances in a nitrogen fertilizer project in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, integrating green hydrogen into the agribusiness chain. The project is part of the strategic portfolio of the National Council for Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition and was selected as one of the five Hydrogen Hubs by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. These projects reinforce the decentralization of investments. and expand the role of green hydrogen as an industrial input, not just as an export product.
Regulatory framework is key to unlocking investments in green hydrogen in Brazil.
Despite the robust pipeline, the sector still faces regulatory challenges. The definition of legal framework for hydrogen It is considered essential to provide predictability for investors and reduce risks associated with long-term, capital-intensive projects.
Issues such as certification criteria, defining what constitutes low-carbon hydrogen, rules for accessing the transmission network, and mechanisms to stimulate domestic demand remain central to the discussions. Without regulatory clarity, decisions involving billions of dollars tend to be postponed., even under favorable technical conditions.
The sector expects that consolidating the regulatory framework will accelerate the planned FIDs (Foreign Investment Developments) for 2026 and create a more competitive environment compared to other countries vying for the same investments.
China boosts green hydrogen and strengthens the energy transition.
The international scenario also contributes to market optimism. China has included green hydrogen among the strategic industries in its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030)., with defined production targets and priority application sectors.
According to the executive director of the Brazilian Association of the Green Hydrogen Industry, Fernanda DelgadoThe Chinese decision serves as a significant stimulus for countries that are in the early stages of market development. The Chinese scale tends to accelerate technological advancement and reduce costs., benefiting the entire global supply chain. For Brazil, this movement expands export prospects and reinforces the role of green hydrogen in the market. international energy transition.
Green hydrogen, industry and competitiveness of Brazil
The adoption of green hydrogen is directly linked to Brazil’s ability to maintain industrial competitiveness in a world increasingly driven by environmental criteria. Sectors such as steelmaking, chemicals, fertilizers, and maritime transport face increasing pressure to reduce emissions.
Green hydrogen emerges as one of the few viable solutions. to decarbonize energy-intensive industrial processes. Countries that advance on this agenda tend to gain a competitive advantage, while those that lag behind may face trade barriers and market losses. In this context, the investments planned for 2026 represent more than just new energy projects: they signal a long-term economic positioning strategy.
New projects expand investments and strengthen the energy transition.
In addition to the projects with decisions expected by 2026, there are five other projects announced between 2027 and 2029, which total approximately R$ 45 billion in additional investmentsThese figures indicate that the expansion cycle of green hydrogen in Brazil is likely to extend over the next decade.
The creation of integrated hubs, connected to ports and industrial centers.This will be crucial for reducing logistical costs and enabling production on a commercial scale. At the same time, consistent public policies and adequate funding will be essential to transforming technical potential into concrete economic results.
The role of green hydrogen in Brazil’s energy future.
Investments exceeding R$ 64 billion projected for 2026 solidify green hydrogen as one of the pillars of the energy transition in Brazil. The progress of these projects demonstrates that the country has moved beyond the conceptual phase and has begun to integrate fuel into real capital decisions.
With direct impacts on industry, infrastructure, and international integration, green hydrogen represents a strategic opportunity for Brazil to align economic growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness. The pace of this transformation will depend, above all, on the ability to convert regulatory and institutional potential into legal certainty and productive scale.
