English 
Spanish 
3 min read
5 comments
An energy revolution is underway in Brazil! With this, the fuel of the future emerges, threatening Petrobras' hegemony and promising drastic changes in prices and sustainability.
Get ready for a revolution that could shake up the foundations of the Brazilian energy sector! A new force is emerging, ready to challenge giants and redefine the future of fuels in the country.
At the center of this whirlwind is the bill of the “fuel of the future”, recently approved in the Senate and awaiting return to the Chamber.
According to the journalist Mariana Carneiro, from Estadão, this project not only vetoed the entry of R5 diesel, produced by Petrobras with a vegetable portion, as well as strengthening agribusiness and the biofuels sector.
- BP backs off oil and gas cuts, focuses on new investments in the Middle East and Gulf of Mexico
- OPEC revises Brazil's oil production and GDP, warns of inflation and rising costs in offshore production
- Petrobras surprises by announcing a partnership with Vale! The focus is clear: the use of renewable fuels! Do we have an unbeatable partnership here?
- Petrobras bets on historic revolution in Campos Basin to double oil production and boost economy
With ethanol and biodiesel gaining ground, these sectors are securing control over growing shares of the gasoline and diesel markets.
The power of biomethane
Biomethane, a plant-based gas produced mainly from the decomposition of sugarcane bagasse and organic waste, is at the epicenter of this change.
The bill establishes mandatory consumption of biomethane from 2026, aiming to add this gas to the natural gas supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 1%. This percentage could reach 10%, which raises concerns in the industry about possible increases in natural gas prices.
Financial impacts on the industry
According to Adrianno Lorenzon, director of natural gas at Abrace, it will be necessary to produce 850 thousand cubic meters of biomethane per day in 2026 to achieve the decarbonization goal.
“This represents an estimated cost increase of BRL 658 million per year to gas consumers in the country”, warns Lorenzon. Large consumers fear that Petrobras will absorb these costs and not pass them on, which is viewed with skepticism.
Contradictions in the government
While the Ministry of Mines and Energy supports the initiative, the government faces criticism for apparent contradictions.
“It seems inconsistent for the Lula government to increase the supply of natural gas and, at the same time, sponsor a project that could make the product more expensive,” says Lorenzon. Sectors such as steel, glass, aluminum, chemicals and steelmaking can be directly affected by this increase.
The response of biomethane producers
Moreover, Renata Isfer, president of Abiogás, argues that Petrobras is already planning to buy biomethane or equivalent titles, the Biomethane Origin Guarantee Certificates (CGOB), to meet its decarbonization goals.
“There will be no impact on the price of energy or gas for the industry. Petrobras is willing to absorb this cost,” assures Isfer.
The future of biofuels
Biomethane manufacturers are optimistic. With 25 projects under analysis by the ANP and a current supply capacity of 417 thousand cubic meters per day, the expectation is that supply will increase and prices will fall.
Furthermore, companies with individual decarbonization goals are willing to invest in cleaner fuels, even if it represents an additional cost.
Challenges and questions
Despite the assurances, Lucien Belmonte, president of the Gas Forum and Abividro, asks: “Has Petrobras become a charity? Will it absorb the cost and not pass it on? It is hard to believe that the supplier of the most expensive gas in the world will act like Santa Claus.” These doubts reflect the uncertainty that permeates the industrial sector in the face of the proposed changes.
In any case, the battle for the “fuel of the future” is just beginning, and its developments could redefine the national energy landscape. While biofuel producers celebrate the new opportunities, the traditional industry waits cautiously, fearing the economic impacts.
Do you believe that biomethane is the solution for a sustainable future or are you concerned about the possible increases in energy costs? Leave your opinion in the comments!
