The Rio de Janeiro State Department of Economic (Sedeis) Development has partnered with the Brazilian Organization of the Petroleum Industry (Onip) and Governador Brizola Thermoelectric Plant of Petrobras, to explore ways to meet the demand for electricity in the deep sea, considered one of the main challenges in the development of pre-salt .

Unlike the exploration and production of existing oil platforms today , with electricity generation to gas embedded in their structure modules, the giant pre-salt fields will have most of its equipment installed on the seabed and should be moved power also installed on the seabed.

The development of this technology is integrated into Subsea Cluster, which aims to integrate current suppliers of existing segment in the state, in addition to attracting new businesses to settle here.

- According to data from the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Rio should receive in the next 10 year, $12 billion for technological development in the subsea. It is estimated that in five years the number of companies in the supply chain for subsea equipment for the oil and gas bend in the State, said Undersecretary of Energy, Marcelo Vertis.

The study, to be conducted by Onip for one year, as contracted by Petrobras, involves funds of R$ 1 million , secured through tax exemption, via ICMS deferral. The incentive is provided by state law for investment in projects to generate electricity with alternative or studies and energy projects or energy conservation in public buildings sources.

Among the objectives of the study are to formulate reports on the energy sector and energy distribution in submarine environment and integrated equipment, and the estimate of Brazilian and international demand for such equipment and systems. Moreover, the mapping will be done in the market, covering manufacturers and major equipment suppliers.

Also a review of existing instruments for financing and incentive industry will be held and also provided a final report with proposed actions to ensure competitiveness for operationalizing the production of equipment and services for power generation and power distribution, and production of underwater oil and Gas in the State.

Among the types of generation that will be studied are wind, photovoltaic and generated from the movement of waves. The study is part of Rio Capital Energy Programme, which encourages actions related to technological innovation , energy efficiency and emission reduction.