São Paulo Eyes Biomass Boom

[background=rgb(0, 128, 1) !important]29/07/2013[/background] The Brazilian state of São Paulo is predicting a major increase in biomass-powered electricity this decade and beyond. The state government’s latest energy strategy identifies sugar cane fired generation plant as a major growth area to help hit a new 69% renewable energy target by 2020. Combustion of cane residues is set to rocket from 2565MW in 2010 to 8.6GW by the end of the decade. This will leap further to 17.2GW by 2035. Other biomass fuels are also set to rise in the 2010 to 2035 time period. Forestry by-products will grow from 591MW to 1431MW, energy from waste will increase from zero to 391MW, and biogas will aim to expand from 62MW to 157MW. Wind energy will play its part with 457MW to be installed over the next 22 years from a standing start in 2010. Governor Geraldo Alckmin (pictured) said the expansion will cement São Paulo’s position as the Brazilian state with the highest percentage of renewable energy. Image: São Paulo government / Edson Lopes Jr Taylor Scott International