Low Environmental Impact, Sustainable and Modular

Brazil’s Vice President, Hamilton Mourão, travelled to Antarctica recently to participate in the inauguration of the new Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station. The ceremony was also attended by Science and Technology Minister, Marcos Pontes, Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva and Infrastructure Minister Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, in addition to representatives of the Brazilian Navy and other authorities.

The 4,500 sqm complex was delivered almost eight years after a fire destroyed the previous base. The new station is far more sustainable, featuring low environmental impact: the material used in the construction is foldable and recyclable and the modules were made in containers, to facilitate transport by any ship. Installed photovoltaic panels and wind generators produce around 30% of the energy consumed at the station.

The operation and logistics of the base are the responsibility of the Brazilian Navy, which receives support from the Air Force.

Santiago Rivas and Florencia Lucero Heguy in Buenos Aires for MON