Wilson Sons starts operations powered by 100% renewable energy at the Rio Offshore Support Base
RIO DE JANEIRO : Recognized for its extensive experience of over 187 years, Wilson Sons has begun operating with 100% renewable energy, primarily from wind and solar generation, at its Rio Offshore Support Base in Guanabara Bay over the past month. The Rio Base, which provides logistical support to offshore energy companies operating in the Campos and Santos Basins, began to derive electricity from renewable sources. This transition is expected to help us reduce around 22.7 tCO₂e of annual indirect Scope 2 emissions associated with electricity consumption both for our use and for the supply of energy to clients served at the base.
As part of the process, the Rio Base will receive, by the end of this year, I-REC (International Renewable Energy Certificate) certificates attesting that the electricity consumed is associated with power generation from renewable sources. I-RECs are internationally recognized for accounting for Scope 2 emissions and reaffirm the company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.
Currently, electricity is used, for example, to light yards, offices, mechanical workshops, and cargo storage areas. Clients docking vessels at the Rio Base will also benefit from this, as the docking facilities already operate with energy from renewable sources by supplying vessels with shore power and replacing diesel with cleaner fuel alternatives, which directly contributes to the reduction of emissions and the decarbonisation of operations. A pioneer in the offshore support base business, Wilson Sons owns two private terminals in Guanabara Bay — the Rio Base and the Niterói Base — totaling eight berths. The company has expertise in remote operations. It has set up temporary bases in multiple ports along the Brazilian coastline.
“Achieving I-REC certification in Rio is a clear reflection of our commitment to sustainability and the future of energy in the maritime and port industry. We are proud to take this pioneering step, which not only reduces emissions from our operations but also adds direct value to our clients and the environment. We remain firm on our decarbonisation journey, with our eyes on innovative and responsible solutions throughout our chain of operations,” says Mariana Jannuzzi, Executive Director of Wilson Sons Offshore Support Bases.
Support for drilling campaigns
Located in Caju, in the port district of Rio de Janeiro, the 65,000-square-metre base has five mooring berths and is strategically located to support oil fields in the pre-salt polygon. Its services include cargo handling, storage of materials and equipment (with customised high-technology software for inventory and cargo flow management and control), environmental services, fluid and bulk plants to support drilling campaigns, and facilities.
Wilson Sons’ offshore support units are the only private terminals in Guanabara Bay that offer berthing at two bases strategically located in Rio and Niterói. The division includes the Guaxindiba Pipe Yard, located 20 kilometres from the Niterói Base, which stores drilling pipes and other equipment on a 63,000-square-metre facility. With investments in technology and innovation, qualified personnel, and permits from the Brazilian authorities, the pipe yard conducts pipeline inspection and hydrojetting.
