Eneva (ENEV3) entered into contracts on November 3, 2026, with Vports Autoridade Portuária S.A. for the use of areas at the Port of Barra do Riacho, in Espírito Santo. The areas will host a liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal and thermal power plants that will form the Espírito Santo Hub, part of the Southeast Hub Project. The company will hold 100% of the project, which will have an installed capacity of 690 MW.
Subject to the fulfillment of customary contractual conditions precedent, the contracts secure the right to use the areas until December 31, 2046, with the possibility of renewal.
The Espírito Santo Hub corresponds to the 2031 product of the 2026 Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP 2026), with a 15-year capacity sales commitment. Commercial operation is scheduled to begin on August 1, 2031. The plants will be built in Barra do Riacho and supplied by a new LNG terminal to be developed by Eneva.
With this, Eneva now holds a full stake in the two new gas hubs under development. The Ceará Hub totals 1,659.4 MW, consisting of 1,199.4 MW from the 2029 product (operation scheduled for August 1, 2029) and 460 MW from the 2031 product (operation scheduled for August 1, 2031), both with a 15-year capacity sales commitment. The plants will be located in Caucaia (CE) and will be supplied by an LNG terminal already under development at the Port of Pecém.
The projects in Ceará and Espírito Santo are located in areas covered by Sudene (the Northeast Development Superintendency) and are eligible for the benefits of Reidi (the Special Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development). Eneva stated that the hubs' infrastructure could enable new thermal projects and opportunities in the natural gas market, including supply to third parties.
