In a world increasingly aware of the climate urgency and the need to transition to cleaner energy sources, biogas emerges as a silent protagonist, yet one with transformative potential. Far from being just an energy alternative, it represents a true sustainable revolution, capable of converting an environmental problem – the accumulation of organic waste – into an ecological and economically viable solution. By transforming decomposing organic matter into renewable energy, biogas not only diversifies the energy matrix but also offers a robust path towards decarbonization, the circular economy, and energy security, especially for a country with Brazil’s agricultural vocation and territorial extension.
The Brazilian Biogas Association (Abiogás) defines this source as more than an alternative, but a “sustainable revolution that transforms environmental challenges into ecological opportunities.” The logic is clear: waste that would otherwise pollute the soil, water, and atmosphere (mainly through the emission of methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than CO2 in the short term) is captured and processed through anaerobic digestion. In this process, microorganisms decompose organic matter in the absence of oxygen, generating two main products: biogas, a gaseous mixture rich in methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and digestate, an organic fertilizer rich in nutrients.
Brazil’s potential for biogas production is colossal, reflecting the strength of its agribusiness and the challenges of urban waste management. Data compiled by the Energy Research Office (EPE) in its study “Technical Potential of Biogas from Waste” and information from Abiogás paint an impressive picture. EPE estimates that by 2031, the technical energy potential of biogas from waste in Brazil could exceed 80 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), which would equate to about 25% of the projected national energy demand for the period, should all this potential be economically viable. Converted into electricity, this volume would represent more than 20% of the country’s total electricity generation, or almost the entirety of the projected residential electricity consumption for 2031.
The sector figures presented by Abiogás reinforce this magnitude. The association calculates that the potential of biogas could supply 31.8% of Brazil’s total electricity consumption or 61.9% of the national demand for diesel, equivalent to more than 111 million liters per day. Such capacity, according to Abiogás, could replace all Brazilian imports of fossil fuels such as cooking gas (LPG), natural gas, and diesel, besides having a potential five times greater than the national demand for aviation fuel (Abiogás, n.d.). EPE complements, indicating that the total technical potential of methane (the main energy component of biogas) from waste was estimated at 78.7 billion normal cubic meters (GNm³) in 2021, projected to reach 97.9 GNm³ in 2031, driven mainly by the expected growth in the availability of agricultural waste.
This abundance of resources comes from various sources. EPE classifies waste into groups according to the ease of collection and anaerobic digestion. Group 1, considered the easiest, includes municipal solid waste (MSW), swine and poultry manure, where the concentration of waste facilitates the process. Group 2 covers cattle manure (dairy and beef), whose management in confinement or semi-confinement also simplifies collection. Group 3, with the largest potential in volume but requiring more complex collection and pre-processing logistics, consists of agricultural residues (such as straw and crop residues from cotton, rice, beans, cassava, corn, soy, and wheat – excluding sugarcane in this specific EPE analysis). In 2031, agriculture alone will account for the largest share of the potential (about 77%), followed by Group 1 (14.6%) and Group 2 (8%) (EPE, 2023).
The Crucial Role of Biomethane in the Energy Transition
Within the biogas universe, biomethane deserves special attention. It is purified biogas, from which CO2 and other trace gases have been removed, resulting in a gas with a very high methane concentration (usually above 90%), with physical-chemical characteristics very similar to those of fossil natural gas. This similarity allows biomethane to be injected directly into the existing gas pipeline network or used as vehicular fuel (Compressed Natural Gas – CNG), replacing diesel, gasoline, and fossil natural gas without significant adaptations to engines or infrastructure.
Abiogás highlights a fundamental benefit of biomethane: the neutralization of methane emissions into the atmosphere. By capturing the methane that would naturally be released from decomposing waste, the emission of a potent greenhouse gas is avoided. Furthermore, by replacing fossil fuels, biomethane promotes double decarbonization: it reduces CO2 emissions at the point of consumption (e.g., in vehicle exhausts) and prevents methane emissions at the source (in landfills, manure lagoons, etc.). EPE calculates that the technical potential of methane from waste in Brazil, if converted into biomethane, could supply about 80% of the energy demand of the transport sector in 2031.
This capacity to replace fossil fuels in sectors where emissions are hard to abate, such as heavy freight and passenger transport, and agricultural and industrial activities dependent on natural gas, positions biomethane as a strategic energy vector for Brazil’s energy transition. It offers a renewable solution, produced locally from national resources, reducing dependence on imports and the volatility of international energy prices.
Sustainability and Circular Economy: The Virtuous Cycle of Biogas
Biogas is an emblematic example of the circular economy in practice. It transforms an environmental liability (waste) into multiple assets: renewable energy (biogas/biomethane) and a high-quality biofertilizer (digestate). This virtuous cycle not only generates economic value but also brings numerous environmental and social benefits.
Firstly, biogas production offers a sustainable solution for organic waste management, one of the major urban and rural challenges. In the countryside, it prevents soil and water contamination by animal manure and crop residues. In cities, it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, decreasing pressure on these sites, extending their lifespan, and crucially, capturing the methane that would be emitted, contributing to climate goals. EPE highlights that proper management of confined livestock waste is essential to prevent environmental contamination due to high organic load, and anaerobic digestion is a key tool in this process.
Secondly, digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, is an organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and essential micronutrients for plants. Its application to the soil improves structure and fertility, reducing the need for synthetic chemical fertilizers, whose production is energy-intensive and often dependent on imports. This not only lowers costs for farmers but also reduces the carbon footprint of agriculture and contributes to long-term soil health. EPE mentions the return of nutrients contained in the waste to pastures cultivated for silage through digestate.
Thirdly, energy generation from biogas is decentralized, occurring close to waste sources and often close to consumption centers. This reduces transmission and distribution losses, increases the resilience of the electrical system, and promotes economic development in inland regions where agricultural activity is predominant. Abiogás emphasizes the capacity of biogas to internalize the gas market and boost regional development.
Driving Decarbonization and Green Neo-industrialization
The decarbonization potential of biogas is significant. Abiogás estimates that it can reduce emissions by about 90% compared to the fossil fuels it replaces. This capacity is vital for Brazil to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and move towards a low-carbon economy.
The contribution of biogas extends across multiple sectors. In agriculture and livestock farming, besides treating manure and generating biofertilizers, it provides energy for the farms themselves, reducing costs and emissions. In industry, it can replace natural gas or fuel oil in processes requiring heat, such as drying, boiler heating, and furnaces. In the transport sector, biomethane is an immediate and effective alternative for decarbonizing fleets of buses, trucks, and agricultural machinery.
Furthermore, the development of the biogas production chain represents an opportunity for the so-called “green neo-industrialization”. The manufacturing of equipment (digesters, purifiers, generators), the provision of engineering, installation, operation, and maintenance services, and the associated logistics generate skilled jobs and promote technological innovation in the country. Abiogás (n.d.) projects the creation of up to 798,000 green jobs and investments that could reach R$ 120 billion with the full development of the sector.
Global Context and National Challenges
Brazil is not alone in exploring the potential of biogas. The World Biogas Association (WBA), cited by EPE, estimates that the global technical potential is between 868 and 1,204 Mtoe per year, which would represent 6% to 9% of the world’s primary energy demand. However, the WBA also points out that only a small fraction of this potential (between 1.6% and 2.2%) is currently commercially exploited globally. Brazil, with its vast potential estimated by EPE and Abiogás, has the chance to become a world leader in this sector, but still utilizes a very small portion of its resources.
To unlock this potential, some challenges need to be overcome. The economic viability of projects, especially smaller-scale ones, still depends on factors such as the price of the replaced energy, equipment costs, access to financing, and the existence of incentive policies. The logistics of collecting and transporting waste, especially agricultural waste (EPE’s Group 3), can be complex and costly. Lack of information and technical knowledge among potential producers and investors can also be a barrier.
Consistent and long-term public policies are fundamental. This includes clear regulatory frameworks, tax incentives, specific credit lines, support programs for research and development, and mechanisms that ensure adequate remuneration for the energy generated and the environmental benefits provided (such as carbon pricing or renewable energy certificates).
A Future Powered by Waste
Biogas represents much more than a simple energy source. It is a powerful tool for sustainable waste management, an engine for the circular economy, a pillar for energy security, and a crucial ally in the fight against climate change. Brazil holds one of the largest biogas potentials in the world, a wealth that literally springs from waste and the byproducts of its thriving agribusiness.
Transforming this potential into reality requires a joint effort from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Investing in biogas is investing in energy self-sufficiency, regional development, green jobs, cleaner air, and a more sustainable future for all Brazilians. The silent revolution of biogas is underway, and Brazil has the unique opportunity to lead this movement, reaping the environmental, social, and economic benefits of transforming waste into wealth.
Companies Leading the Transformation
The theoretical potential of biogas and biomethane in Brazil already translates into concrete initiatives demonstrating the viability and benefits of this energy source. Companies like Eva Energia and Gás Verde, both part of the Urca Energia Group, exemplify how waste can be converted into sustainable energy solutions on a large scale.
Eva Energia operates strongly in distributed generation of electricity from biogas. A notable example is its operation in sanitary landfills, such as the one in Seropédica (RJ), considered the largest in Latin America. There, the company uses the biogas generated from waste decomposition to power thermal plants, supplying renewable energy to consumers through distributed generation contracts. This model not only offers a more economical and sustainable energy alternative for customers but also contributes directly to reducing methane emissions from the landfill, promoting the circular economy and proper environmental management of urban waste. The company also explores the potential of biogas from swine farming, diversifying its sources of raw material.
Gás Verde has established itself as the largest biomethane producer in Latin America, focusing on purifying biogas from landfills to produce a renewable fuel identical to natural gas. The company has formed strategic partnerships to boost decarbonization in various sectors. Agreements with large industries, such as Henkel, provide for the supply of millions of cubic meters of biomethane annually to replace fossil natural gas in manufacturing processes. In the transport sector, Gás Verde collaborates with companies like L’Oréal to fuel truck fleets with biomethane, significantly reducing logistics emissions. Furthermore, the company has established partnerships for injecting its biomethane directly into the transport gas pipeline network, such as the agreement with NTS (Nova Transportadora do Sudeste), allowing the renewable gas to reach an even larger number of industrial and residential consumers, demonstrating biomethane’s ability to integrate with existing energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition to a cleaner matrix.
These examples illustrate how investment in technology and innovative business models can transform the potential of biogas and biomethane into reality, generating economic, social, and environmental value for Brazil.
