German biogas technology for Brazil

• DEG supports technology transfer in favour of climate protection
• 200,000 euros from the International Climate Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment

Biogas plants are a climate-friendly type of energy generation which, however, has so far not been able to establish itself in Brazil. To remedy this fact, DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, now supports the propagation of modern biogas technology in the country. For this purpose, a demonstration plant is intended to be set up in the Santa Catarina region to generate energy from liquid manure. The private partner of the project is MVV decon GmbH (MVV decon), a German consultancy for energy supply and efficiency based in Mannheim (Germany). A consortium of MVV decon, ECO Conceitos S.A and the centre for economy and science of Brazil and Germany, Wirtschafts- und WissenschaftsZentrum Brasilien-Deutschland e.V (WWZ) contributes 298,000 euros to the project. DEG complements the private contribution by 200,000 euros from the programme "Climate partnerships with the private sector of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

The signing ceremony was held on 07 December in the presence of the Brazilian ambassador, S.E. Everton Vieira Vargas, at the Brazilian embassy in Berlin. Dr Michael Bornmann, member of DEG's Management Board, said: "Fostering technology and know-how transfer in the field of climate protection is a declared aim of DEG. With the programme "Climate partnerships with the private sector, we are able to support MVV decon in launching an innovative biogas technology in Brazil. Also the private partner is benefiting from this programme: "By launching this economic and climate-friendly technology we will be able to provide long-term support to Brazil and to reach sustainable profitability, said Peter Korak, Managing Director of MVV decon. Franzjosef Schafhausen, assistant head of department of BMU, pointed out: "Tackling global climate change cannot be reached by systematic action at national level solely, but also requires climate partnerships, primarily with developing and emerging countries. Those partnerships backed by the economy are particularly effective. The signing of today's German-Brazilian cooperation is a prime example of the "Climate partnerships with the private sector, supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

In the Brazilian federal state of Santa Catarina, many people live on pig breeding. Manure disposed of without control and high methane emissions are a burden on environment and climate in the region. This is where the project comes in: biogas plants utilise the unused biomass to generate electricity, thus protecting environment and climate. The feed lots are provided with an additional source of income, which creates new jobs. To demonstrate the advantages for environment and humans, the MVV decon demonstration plant will look into the optimum structure for the planning and operation of an economical biogas plant. MVV decon will make the know-how obtained available to the administration, educational institutions and economy of Brazil. It is especially stakeholders and potential sponsors who will thus be sensitized for the issue.

The BMU and DEG have established the programme "Climate partnerships with the private sector this year with the aim of fostering private investment into climate-friendly technologies in developing and emerging-market countries. Currently, the Federal Ministry provides two million euros from funds of the International Climate Initiative (ICI) for innovative projects with private partners. With the ICI, which is financed from public sales of emission certificates, the BMU promotes climate-related projects in developing, emerging and transition countries. With the cooperation with the BMU, DEG intends to step up its commitment for climate protection and support particularly small and medium-sized enterprises in their commitment in international markets.