Sustainable innovation has been gaining significant momentum in Brazilian agribusiness, and Fazenda Mano Julio, located in Mato Grosso, is a remarkable example of this movement. The project, carried out by EVA Energia – a company that integrates Urca Energia and GNPW Group – has transformed the farm into a hub for clean energy generation from pig waste. With an investment of R$25 million, the farm is changing how pig farming manages waste, turning it into biogas for electricity production.
The farm, which houses 340,000 pigs across four large-scale complexes, converts animal waste into biogas through 47 biodigesters. These systems capture methane produced during the fermentation process and transform it into electricity. With an installed capacity of 2.5 megawatts (MW), the system can meet the farm’s entire energy demand and still supply the excess to the local power grid. It is estimated that this energy could power about 5,000 homes, generating positive environmental and economic impacts.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
In addition to generating energy, the Fazenda Mano Julio project prevents the release of approximately 3,600 tons of methane into the atmosphere annually, helping mitigate the effects of climate change. Methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases, is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming. Turning this environmental liability into a renewable energy solution is a milestone for the agricultural sector.
From an economic perspective, the project also presents a great opportunity. The biogas generated translates into cost savings for the farm’s electricity needs and, at the same time, provides a new source of income by selling the excess to the grid. Furthermore, the liquid residue from the biodigestion process is reused as biofertilizer, promoting a complete sustainable cycle.
Technological Innovation and Overcoming Challenges
Paulo Franz, owner of Fazenda Mano Julio, explains that implementing the project was not a simple process. Despite biodigestion technology being well-established in European countries, adapting this model to Brazil’s scale and climate was a challenge. Over three years, from 2019 to 2022, EVA Energia made a series of adjustments to ensure the efficiency and viability of the operation in Brazil’s Central-West region.
Biogas production in Brazil is still an expanding area. According to Rafael González, president of CIBiogás, the technology necessary to process waste on a large scale only reached maturity in recent years. This advancement allowed pioneering initiatives like Fazenda Mano Julio to solidify as examples to follow in the bioenergy sector.
GNPW and the Future of Clean Energy in Brazil
GNPW Group has played a central role in expanding renewable energy in Brazil. In addition to its involvement at Fazenda Mano Julio, the company is leading the Solário Carioca project, an innovative solar energy initiative located at the former Santa Cruz landfill in Rio de Janeiro. This plant, which will generate 5 MW of solar energy, stands out not only for its generation capacity but also for repurposing a space previously designated for waste disposal. With more than 11,000 solar panels, the project will generate significant savings for public coffers and will be able to supply energy to schools and municipal health units.
Through these initiatives, GNPW Group strengthens its position as one of the leaders in Brazil’s energy transition. The combined impact of the biogas and solar energy projects demonstrates that with innovation and strategic vision, it is possible to align economic development with environmental sustainability.
Renewable Energy: A Growing Reality
Brazil has vast potential for generating renewable energy, especially from sources like biogas and solar power. According to the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar), Brazil is one of the fastest-growing countries in solar energy adoption, reinforcing the importance of projects like Solário Carioca.
The use of biogas in agribusiness has also shown significant growth. Recent data from the CIBiogás Panorama reveal that 80% of biogas plants in Brazil are linked to agribusiness, with vast potential still to be explored in states like Mato Grosso. As more rural producers adopt this technology, the country moves closer to a more sustainable and diversified energy matrix.
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