With the ministry's involvement in the organization of port areas, the project foresees an LNG terminal and thermoelectric plants with a total capacity of 690 megawatts.
Published on 11/04/2026 4:43 PM
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier vessel, used to supply regasification terminals. | Photo: Disclosure
Energy company Eneva has signed contracts with the concessionaire Vports to explore an area in the Port of Barra do Riacho, in Aracruz (ES), and install a new gas and energy hub. The project, named Hub Espírito Santo, will have the participation of the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) in the planning of the port area occupation. The agreement, signed this Tuesday (3), will boost the state's economy.
The ministry's involvement includes the Port Development and Zoning Plan (PDZ), an instrument that organizes port occupation and defines the uses of its areas. Responsible for approving the plan, MPor participates in the process of adapting port planning to the activities foreseen for the enterprise.
The Hub Espírito Santo foresees the installation of thermoelectric plants with a total capacity of 690 megawatts (MW) and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal, which will supply the plants. Commercial operation is scheduled to begin on August 1, 2031.
To receive the investments, Vports initiated the procedure for altering the PDZ regarding part of the contracted area and sought environmental licensing from the state agency. The adaptation of port planning and licensing are integral steps necessary for the implementation of the complex.
The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, highlighted the importance of port planning to attract investments and enable new ventures in the sector. "Our policy for the port sector seeks to integrate ports into production chains and create conditions for new investments. The Hub Espírito Santo brings together port infrastructure, gas supply, and energy generation. MPor's role is to support this planning, with clear rules for the use of areas and predictability for project development," he stated.
Planning and new business
The hub will be installed in an undeveloped area, included in the concession of the ports of Vitória, Vila Velha, and Barra do Riacho, in the privatization of 2022. The contract established Vports' commitment to develop new businesses in the region. The implementation of the gas and energy hub represents a development of this commitment.
Vports CEO, Pedro Benevides, highlighted Espírito Santo's potential to attract new ventures and the contribution of the port concession to creating a favorable environment for these investments. "This project represents a new level in the trajectory of advances in the Vports concession and reinforces the state's enormous potential to receive structuring ventures and meet the country's development needs, resulting from a favorable, organized business environment capable of attracting strategic partners of this magnitude," he said.
Eneva will have full participation in the Hub Espírito Santo. Upon fulfillment of the conditions foreseen in the contracts, the instruments ensure the right to use the areas until December 31, 2046, with the possibility of renewal.
The terminal will receive liquefied natural gas by ships and transform it back into gas to supply the thermoelectric plants. The plants have a power sales commitment for 15 years, established in the Capacity Reserve Auction, in the form of 2026 Power (LRCAP 2026).
According to Eneva, the infrastructure could also enable new energy generation projects and opportunities for natural gas supply to third parties.
