Cogeneration of Energy
We produce our own electricity from the combustion of sugarcane bagasse in boilers, a renewable source that meets 100% of our consumption. In the 2022/2023 harvest year, this consumption totaled 32,657.46 MWh.
In June 2022, we completed the testing and commissioning phase of the Cogeneration 21 Bar project, which allowed us to increase our revenue through the sale of excess energy to the National Electric System.
The results exceeded expectations: by the end of the last harvest, we exported 22,779 MWh, surpassing the initial plan of 17,500 MWh. This volume is enough to supply three cities the size of Nova Europa for one year.
For the next period, we expect an even larger volume of energy to be sold, thanks to adjustments made during the off-season. Improvements included interventions in the control panel, the electrical project, and the steam system, which is now fully automated. As a result, steam utilization has become complete.
Cogeneration Benefits
In addition to energy exportation and revenue diversification, the cogeneration project has brought significant benefits, such as:
– Improvement in the internal supply of electricity, ensuring greater stability for equipment.
– Reduction of power fluctuations and outages, minimizing interruptions and increasing the plant’s energy security.
Previously, all the excess bagasse was sold to companies in the region. In this new phase of the project, the volume sold will remain the same, while we prioritize internal use and the export of excess energy.