Portuguese 
Spanish 
Senate Approves Amendment That Includes Biogas Among Incentivized Sources in National Agricultural Policy, Strengthening Decentralized Energy Generation and Benefiting Small Farmers with Sustainability and Economy.
The Federal Senate took another important step towards sustainability in the rural sector. The Infrastructure Committee (CI) approved, this Tuesday (7), an amendment that includes biogas among the guidelines of the national agricultural policy aimed at promoting renewable energy. The text, which is part of Bill (PL) 2.647/2022, seeks to expand access for small producers to clean and sustainable technologies.
Authored by Deputy Pedro Uczai (PT-SC) and reported by Senator Wilder Morais (PL-GO), the project aims to encourage the use of alternative sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and biogas, with a special focus on family farming. With the approval of the amendment, the text now proceeds to analysis by the Agriculture Committee (CRA) before returning to the Senate Floor.
Clean Energy and Autonomy in the Field
The proposal aims to facilitate access for rural producers to decentralized energy generation technologies, reducing production costs and increasing energy autonomy in the field. The inclusion of biogas reinforces Brazil’s commitment to a more diversified and sustainable energy matrix.
-
Brazilian scientists are simultaneously advancing two research projects on clean hydrogen and driving solutions that could transform the energy matrix, enhance industrial competitiveness, and accelerate large-scale emission reduction targets.
-
Advancement in renewable energy: A R$ 150 million project launched by Petrobras and Finep aims to create state-of-the-art electrolyzers for green hydrogen, strengthening national research and preparing Brazil to compete in a billion-dollar energy market.
-
Illiterate or semi-literate grandmothers were trained to repair solar systems, open rural workshops, and light up homes that still depended on kerosene.
-
The world has bet on green hydrogen as the fuel of the future, but now faces the side effect: producing 1 kilogram requires about 9 liters of ultrapure water, and the largest projects on the planet are precisely in the driest regions of the Earth, where water is already scarce for people.
According to the rapporteur Wilder Morais, the use of organic waste for biogas production strengthens the circular economy and makes agribusiness more competitive.
“Biogas constitutes a viable technical alternative to conventional energy generation and a tool for reconfiguring production chains, with the potential to induce structural transformations in energy production and consumption dynamics,” the senator stated.
Moreover, the measure helps to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural activities, as biogas is produced from waste of animal, plant, and industrial origin, preventing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable waste disposal.
Senators Highlight Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biogas
During the discussion of the text, lawmakers emphasized the potential of biogas as a driver of economic and environmental development in small rural properties. Senator Jaime Bagattoli (PL-RO) pointed out that the use of biogas can reduce energy costs and simultaneously generate additional income for producers.
Meanwhile, Senator Esperidião Amin (PP-SC) praised the initiative for promoting cleaner and more accessible energy:
“This proposal represents an important step toward making Brazilian agriculture self-sufficient and sustainable, utilizing what was once waste as a source of energy.”
With the advancement of the project, the Senate reinforces the importance of public policies aimed at a fair energy transition that particularly benefit small rural producers. The encouragement of biogas usage positions Brazil prominently in the global renewable energy landscape, promoting a greener, more efficient, and competitive agricultural production.
