Two new Brazilian biomethane plants started operating in the second half of 2024 and six more are ready to go pending final approval from regulators, increasing Brazilian output by 73.5pc from current levels and adding more states to the biomethane production map.
Raizen-Geo Biogas, a joint venture between sugarcane ethanol producer Raizen and production tech company Geo, inaugurated a 130,370 m³/d plant in Piracicaba city, in Sao Paulo state, recently. Producer Essencis also added a 67,200 m³/d plant in Caieiras, also in Sao Paulo.
Brazil can now produce 526,040 m³/d of biomethane from eight plants. Production is still concentrated in the southeast, with Sao Paulo state representing 54pc of national production and housing five companies: Cocal, Engesp, Essencis, Metagas and Raizen-Geo.
Rio de Janeiro state — where producer Gas Verde has capacity for 204,000 m³/d of biomethane in Seropedica city — holds almost 42pc of national production. Northeastern Ceara state produces 110,000 m³/d.
The six plants waiting for ANP authorization will add another 108,930 m³/d to the market and be the first such production in Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul states.
Another four biomethane facilities, adding 343,000 m³/d to the market, are expected to complete construction this year. That includes waste management and biomethane company Orizon's 162,000 m³/d unit in Pernambuco state.
Brazil expects to add another 20 plants — with combined expected capacity of 800,000 m³/d — by December 2026.
The federal government expects biomethane production to grow further as the blending mandate outlined in the fuel of the future bill — approved in September — will unlock new demand.
The mandate obliges gas producers and importers to buy biomethane or guarantee of origin certificates. National energy policy council CNPE will be responsible for setting the yearly target for the mandate, which will range from 1-10pc based on average domestic natural gas production and imports, excluding power demand, in the prior 10 years.
