Over the past several years, I have closely followed the evolution of the technologies that will shape the future of energy in Brazil and around the world. Among them, few have generated as much anticipation as renewable hydrogen. That is why I consider the agreement signed between Be8 and Badesul to be a major milestone for both our company and the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This partnership marks the beginning of the construction of Be8’s first renewable hydrogen production facility, a project that reinforces our energy diversification strategy and expands our contribution to building an increasingly sustainable, low-carbon economy.
The new plant will be located in Passo Fundo, the city where Be8 was founded more than two decades ago and which remains one of the company’s leading innovation hubs. The financing secured through Badesul will support the development of a facility that will position Rio Grande do Sul among Brazil’s leaders in the advancement of next-generation energy solutions. More than an industrial investment, this project represents a strategic step toward accelerating the production of renewable fuels and energy solutions that meet the growing global demand for decarbonization.
Renewable hydrogen is widely recognized as one of the most promising energy carriers for reducing emissions in sectors that are difficult to electrify, including heavy industry, long-haul transportation, and certain logistics operations. For this reason, I see this project as an opportunity to prepare Brazil for the next stage of the global energy transition. Just as our country became a world reference in biofuels, Brazil has the ideal conditions to lead this new transformation by combining technical expertise, industrial capacity, abundant natural resources, and an increasingly clean energy matrix.
I have long believed that building a sustainable future requires the integration of multiple renewable technologies. No single solution can address all of the world’s energy challenges on its own. Biodiesel, advanced biofuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), ethanol, carbon capture, and renewable hydrogen are all part of the same innovation ecosystem. The agreement with Badesul embodies this long-term vision. We are investing today in the technologies that will help build tomorrow’s economy, driving economic development, attracting investment, and strengthening Brazil’s position as a global leader in the renewable energy transition.