Biomass, composed of organic materials such as agricultural waste, forestry residues, and animal waste, has emerged as a crucial renewable energy source for diversifying the global energy matrix. In Brazil, with its vast territorial expanse and robust agricultural production, biomass plays a strategic role in sustainable energy generation.
Recently, the biomass sector in Brazil has shown remarkable growth, especially in terms of energy exports. According to data released by the Brazilian Association of Energy Cogeneration Industries (Cogen), the export of energy generated from biomass increased by 17% through April this year.
Biomass in Brazil
Brazil, with its abundant availability of natural resources, especially agricultural, has significant potential for generating energy from biomass. The diversity of raw materials, including sugarcane bagasse, wood residues, rice husks, and animal waste, contributes to sustainable energy production and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the use of biomass promotes a circular economy by converting waste into energy and creates jobs, strengthening the local economy. The flexibility and storage capacity of biomass allow for constant and predictable energy generation, complementing other renewable sources like solar and wind, which are more intermittent.
Recent Data and Advances
According to information compiled by Cogen from data from the Electric Energy Commercialization Chamber (CCEE), Brazil recorded 20.9 GW of installed cogeneration capacity in commercial operation in June this year. This represents 10.3% of the national electricity matrix, considering only centralized generation.
Within this total, biomass represents 17.4 GW of installed cogeneration capacity, with 12.6 GW from sugarcane bagasse and 4.8 GW from other sources, mainly black liquor and wood residues. This total accounts for 60.3% of all cogeneration in the country. Natural gas, in turn, accounts for 15.3%.
In terms of electricity exports to the National Interconnected System (SIN), generation from biomass-fired thermal power plants reached 53,854 TWh in 2023, a 4% increase over the generation in 2022. This is the second-highest generation value recorded in the historical series of the Statistical Yearbook of the Energy Research Company (EPE), second only to 2020, which had a generation of 55,613 TWh.
Future Perspectives
The outlook for the biomass sector in Brazil is promising. With the global commitment to reducing carbon emissions and the search for more sustainable energy sources, the demand for biomass is expected to grow. Brazil, with its agricultural and forestry potential, is well-positioned to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of biomass energy.
Moreover, favorable government policies, tax incentives, and support for research and technological development are crucial to sustain and expand this growth. The adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices and the expansion of biomass cultivation areas are also essential to ensure the continuous supply of raw materials.
In 2023, the contribution of biomass, which includes energy generation from residues such as sugarcane bagasse, firewood, and black liquor, was the third largest among the sources listed by EPE, trailing only hydro (425,996 TWh) and wind (95,801 TWh) but ahead of solar (50,633 TWh).
In summary, biomass represents a unique opportunity for Brazil to lead the global energy transition. With a 17% growth in exports through April 2024 and a significant contribution to the national energy matrix, the country demonstrates its potential and competitiveness in this market. Continued investments in innovation and infrastructure will be crucial to consolidating this successful trajectory and significantly contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
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