Energy produced from sugarcane exceeded hydroelectric power production in Brazil in 2007, energy officials said Thursday.
This is the first time in Brazilian history that bioenergy production has surpassed that of hydroelectric power, said Mauricio Tolmasquim, president of the government's Energy Research Enterprise.
The energy made from sugarcane products represented 16 percent of the country's total power generation last year, while hydroelectric power accounted for 14.7 percent, Tolmasquim said.
"Sugarcane has become more important in the energy matrix than hydro power. Everything points to a tendency that is here to stay," he said.
Bioenergy production was only beaten by power generation from oil and gas, which accounted for 36.7 percent of power generation in the South American country in 2007.
Tolmasquim said renewable energy, including hydro sources, charcoal and sugarcane derivatives, accounted for 46.4 percent of Brazil's entire production without overcharging consumers, as they do not require subsidies.
He also said that some 70 percent of the growth in energy consumption last year was in renewable sources.
As for criticism of ethanol for its alleged negative influence on food production, Tolmasquim said the pace of development of this type of energy in Brazil is "irreversible."
He added that Brazil is renowned internationally for having a clean and renewable energy mix.
Source: Xinhua
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