OTEC and DOWA for Sustainable Development of Remote Island of Fernando De Noronha in Brazil

Abstract Fernando de Noronha, Brazil’s popular remote tropical archipelago, is seen as a paradise in the southern Atlantic Ocean. The island’s main income now comes from ecotourism, with over 131,000 visitors arriving by airplane in 2024. So, every month, around 18,000 visitors, local inhabitants and temporary workers spend time on the 18.4 km2 main island, which is highly dependent on fossil fuels to meet its growing energy needs for economic development and tourist activities. Over 65% of drinking water is desalinated due to scarcity, and most food, except local fish, is transported from the mainland. The island’s economy faced severe impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology is suitable for sustainable development and climate change mitigation on remote tropical islands. From 2018 to 2024, a survey assessed the island’s infrastructure and consulted its management. In 2024, UFPE and IOES signed an MOU to conduct joint Brazil-Japan research on OTEC and deep ocean water applications (DOWA). This work presents preliminary information collected for the future implementation of OTEC and DOWA.