Energy from biomass in Brazil exceeds the capacity of the Belo Monte Power Plant.

Energy production in the country through biomass exceeds the energy capacity of the Monte Belo Power Plant.

The energy generated in Brazil from biomass from the beginning of the year until November reached a total of 11,250 MW of installed power through 474 plants. This number exceeds the capacity that will be established by the Belo Monte Power Plant by 2019, which will be 11,233 MW.

In terms of power, the Belo Monte Power Plant will be the 3rd largest hydroelectric plant in the world, surpassed only by the Itaipu Power Plant with 14,000 MW and the Chinese Three Gorges Dam, which has a power of 22,400 MW.

According to Zilmar Souza, bioelectricity manager at the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), these numbers show the potential of biomass in general. "Biomass is already strategic for the Brazilian matrix, but we still have a lot of potential to advance," he emphasizes.

According to data from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency), sugarcane biomass is the main source of generation in the country, accounting for more than 80% of the total, followed by black liquor, which represents 13% of the total. The remaining power is obtained through wood waste, biogas, elephant grass, charcoal, among others.

According to ANEEL data, the Brazilian energy capacity is 133,848 MW, thus, the energy generated from biomass power plants accounts for 8% of the total, being the 3rd largest source of energy in Brazil, behind only hydroelectric plants and natural gas.

Souza states that it is possible to go beyond this contribution, as for EPE (Energy Research Company), the potential of the electrical system from sugarcane until 2022 will be around 14 GW average.

 

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