August 2024: On 2 August 2024, Bill No. 2308/2023 ("Bill"), which establishes the legal framework for low-carbon hydrogen in Brazil, was approved with a partial veto. Numbered as Law 14948/2024 ("Law"), it has created the National Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy, which will form part of the country's National Energy Policy. The Law has also established the competence of the National Agency for Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) to authorize, regulate and inspect activities in the low-carbon hydrogen value chain, and has created the Brazilian Hydrogen Certification System (SBCH) and the Special Incentive Regime for Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production ("Rehidro"), a tax regime designed to foster technological and industrial development, competitiveness and added value in national production chains.
Source: Brazil: The legal framework for low carbon hydrogen
July 2024: The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approved the amendments made by the Senate to Bill 2308/23, which regulates the production of hydrogen considered low-carbon (green hydrogen), instituting voluntary certification and federal tax incentives. The amendments increased permissible lifecycle emission levels for green hydrogen up to 7kg of CO2, the highest level in the world. This means that projects emitting up to 7kg of CO2 would be eligible for billions of dollars of subsidies and tax benefits. Also approved were the end of the maximum percentage of hydrogen exports for the company to obtain tax benefits; and the establishment by law of maximum limits of tax subsidy for obtaining and marketing hydrogen.
January 2024: In 2023, Brazil released the three-year action plan (2023-2025) establishing the National Hydrogen Program. This plan outlines key milestones, investments, and regulatory frameworks aimed at positioning Brazil as a leader in the low-carbon hydrogen market.
Source: Brazil's National Hydrogen Program Propels Nation Towards Energy Transition Leadership.
May 2021: CNPE published Resolution No. 6/2021 determining that the Minister of Mines and Energy, together with the Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovations and Regional Development, propose to CNPE, within sixty days, the guidelines for the Brazilian National Hydrogen Program.
Sources:
CNPE Resolution 2021
Hydrogen in Brazil | Insight | Baker McKenzie
February 2021: The Brazilian Energy Research Office (EPE) published a technical note titled " Bases para a Consolidação da Estratégia Brasileira do Hidrogênio".
February 2021: The National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved a resolution to instruct the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency and the National Electric Energy Agency to prioritize investments in RD&I in the hydrogen sector, among others.
Source: TN- Bases for the Consolidation of the Brazilian Hydrogen Strategy
December 2020: The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy issued the Brazilian National Energy Plan 2050 ("2050 Energy Plan"), outlining the directives for the long-term strategy for the Brazilian energy sector. The 2050 Energy Plan dedicated a chapter to hydrogen, listing it as a disruptive technology, capable of significantly changing the energy market.
Source: 2050 National Energy Plan
June 2018: Hosted the 22nd World Hydrogen Energy Conference.
2005: Ministry of Mines and Energy coordinated the so-called “Roteiro para a Estruturação da Economia do Hidrogênio no Brasil”, a large study together with the Ministry of Science and Technology – MCT counting with the participation of dozens of specialists from Brazil and abroad, national and foreign companies, institutes and research centers, regulatory agencies and metrology institutes.
2002: Brazil launched R&D program for the hydrogen economy, currently named ProH2 - Programa de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação para a Economia do Hidrogênio.