Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Finep launched a call for proposals for the domestic development of an industrial-scale electrolyzer to convert water into low-carbon hydrogen. Currently, very few companies in Brazil manufacture such equipment, and none produces its core component, the Stack, where the reaction that converts water into hydrogen takes place.
The signing of the cooperation agreement and the launch of the call were held at Petrobras headquarters, in the presence of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, and Petrobras President Magda Chambriard.
“With this initiative, we reinforce the commitment of the MCTI and the Federal Government to the development of strategic technologies for reindustrialization, sustainability, and national sovereignty. We are working together to strengthen an important technological supply chain, supporting our industry, reducing costs, and preparing the country for the challenges ahead,” the minister stated.
One of the objectives, beyond cost reduction, is for the equipment to incorporate innovative technology compared to electrolyzers produced abroad. The call requires a minimum of 50% domestic content and even allows development based on already-known technologies, provided there is measurable technological advancement.
“Low-carbon hydrogen is one of the most concrete levers for decarbonization. We need to advance scientific development to make it viable and thus make industries such as steelmaking, chemicals, and refining more sustainable. The cost of producing hydrogen through electrolysis is still high, which is why reducing that cost is one of our central objectives. Brazil is well positioned to lead this agenda. Petrobras is moving forward and committed to a just energy transition,” said President Magda.
The call for proposals will provide R$150 million in non-repayable funds — R$75 million from Finep and R$75 million from Petrobras through its Research, Development and Innovation (R&D,I) budget — plus matching contributions from the recipient companies. It will support a single major structural project involving a network of partners, including at least three companies participating in the technological development and at least one Science and Technology Institution (ICT).
“We want to reduce external technological dependence and, with it, the cost of hydrogen — the main barrier to its large-scale adoption. The development must cover everything from basic engineering through to a pre-commercial prototype,” explained Renata Baruzzi, Petrobras’ Executive Director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation.
“Brazil has the conditions to lead the global energy transition, but our goal goes beyond producing clean energy: we want to develop the technologies that will make this transformation possible. This call brings together, for the first time, the main innovation support instruments in energy to drive a project capable of positioning Brazil in the hydrogen supply chain,” said Finep President Luis Antonio Elias.
Petrobras’ 2026–2030 business plan allocates US$4 billion to Research, Development and Innovation (R&D,I). Finep has significantly expanded its support for green technologies, directing more than R$12.5 billion to the financing of projects and initiatives focused on sustainable transition between 2023 and 2025.