The first green hydrogen plant in the Central-West region begins operations and could generate R$2 billion by 2030.
- Assessoria de Comunicação
- Jul 12
- 5 min read
Brazil is expected to generate around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in the sector by 2030
With the potential to decarbonize difficult-to-electrify sectors such as heavy industry, long-distance transportation, and steelmaking, green hydrogen (H2V) has emerged as a key component of the global energy transition. This growth is projected to have a significant impact on the labor market, creating employment opportunities and significant investment.
A report by McKinsey consulting firm indicates that by 2030, the country is expected to generate around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in the green hydrogen sector. By 2050, this number could reach 500,000 jobs, assuming the sector's continued growth.
With an eye on this promising market, the Brazilian Research and Innovation Certification Network (RBCIP), the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) and the energy and sustainability company Green World Energy Hydrogen (GWE) signed a cooperation agreement to install a green hydrogen plant at the educational institution's University City in Campo Grande.
The project will attract investments that could exceed R$2 billion by 2030, with the production of green fertilizers. This pioneering and innovative initiative in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the Central-West region of Brazil focuses on the production of clean and renewable energy, through the separation of water molecules (H₂O), using electricity from solar sources and water.
The plant positions UFMS and Mato Grosso do Sul at the forefront of the energy transition and green hydrogen research in Brazil, through the UFMS Multiuser Laboratory for Green Hydrogen Studies – H2V+. With a production capacity of one ton of hydrogen per month, the plant is an industrial pilot and is already operating for demonstration and production purposes, integrating teaching, research, entrepreneurship, and innovation at UFMS.
Professor Marcelo Fiche, project coordinator at RBCIP, reports that to help alleviate one of the bottlenecks in Brazil's activity—the lack of specialized labor to operate green hydrogen plants and their derivatives—500 specialists, including professors and engineers, will be trained annually at the facilities to work in the Brazilian and international markets. He adds that Brazil should use its natural resources to produce, in addition to green hydrogen, H2V products that generate additional value in commodity trading.
"There's an effort to leverage hydrogen production to generate greater added value in Brazilian products. This partnership between RBCIP, UFMS, and GWE advocates that instead of exporting steel, the country can sell green steel, green ammonia, and green hydrogen abroad, replacing gray steel and adding value. This activity will lead to the emergence of the industrial equipment production chain, strengthening the sector in Brazil. In the domestic market, there are decarbonization opportunities for several important industrial sectors, such as cement, steel, food, fertilizers, petrochemicals, and others," says Fiche.
Green World Energy Hydrogen (GWE) CEO José Eduardo Cury Salemi emphasizes that the plant will also conduct studies on key hydrogen pathways: synthetic gas, green diesel (HVO), green methanol, green ammonia, and green fertilizers. Furthermore, EVTEA (technical, economic, and environmental feasibility) studies will be conducted.
"The objective of this work is also to make the plant a center of excellence in green hydrogen research in the Midwest of the country so that private companies can develop their research," says Salemi.
One of GWE's partners, Israel Fernando França, explains that the project in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where agriculture is very strong, has investment from the company, which also invests in the state of São Paulo, where it has projects at an advanced stage, and stands out for its expertise in the engineering of installing hydrogen plants.
He adds that the next stage of GWE's work in the sustainability market is the completion of the green fertilizer production plant, which should be announced by early 2026.
"The company is ready to become an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction). We will manage integrated construction projects, which involves design, material procurement, and construction of a facility. This model is widely used in large-scale projects such as power plants, oil refineries, infrastructure projects, and industrial facilities," the entrepreneur emphasizes.
The rector of UFMS, Camila Ítavo, states that the green hydrogen plant places Science as the great protagonist of development for the state and the country.
"It's a clear demonstration that the University is a breeding ground for innovative projects that bring transformations to our society, taking the lead in relevant discussions for the world. It's a significant step that also brings a public-private partnership to its success. Furthermore, the pilot project will expand student education and offer training to industries and researchers in the region and across the country," explains Camila.
The plant's production system consists of solar panels (generating renewable electricity), an electrolyzer (equipment that electrolyzes water, separating hydrogen and oxygen), and a control and monitoring system (which will allow remote monitoring and data analysis for scientific and technological purposes). The state-of-the-art electrolyzer underwent Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) in China, in collaboration with leading Chinese manufacturers. They validated the electrolyzer's performance, efficiency, and safety, ensuring its readiness for deployment in Brazil.
Business opportunities
1. Hydrogen blends with biomethane or natural gas: research and testing with sustainable mixtures for use in generators, vehicles or boilers.
2. Experimental fueling station: development of infrastructure to fuel vehicles with hydrogen and/or biomethane.
3. Development of fuel cells: innovation projects aimed at converting hydrogen into electrical energy for mobility or stationary generation.
4. Hydrogen as a vector for green fertilizers and synthetic fuels: research on the production of green ammonia, methanol and e-fuels for agribusiness and export.
5. Educational applications and technological demonstrations: creation of a “living laboratory” for technical visits, pedagogical projects, events and interactive exhibitions.
6. Open innovation with startups: launching technological challenges, public notices and incubation of energy solutions in the UFMS innovation ecosystem.
In Brazil
The clean and sustainable energy source could generate revenue of R$150 billion per year in Brazil by 2050, with R$100 billion coming from exports of the commodity, according to the Green Hydrogen Opportunity in Brazil study.
An international study by German consultancy Roland Berger indicates that Brazil has the potential to become the world's largest producer of green hydrogen. The country derives 87% of its energy matrix from renewable sources such as hydroelectric power, solar panels, and wind power. Despite this, Brazil still has significant capacity to expand these sources.
World production
A study by Deloitte Brazil indicates that the global trade in green hydrogen could generate more than US$280 billion in annual export revenue by 2050. Regarding investments, more than US$9 trillion will be injected into the global clean hydrogen supply chain to help achieve net zero by 2050. Of this total, approximately US$3 trillion will be invested in developing economies.