Wedoany.com Report-Mar 31, Wärtsilä partners with Brazilian energy company Energetica Suape II S.A., majority owned by Grupo Econômico 4M, to test ethanol as a clean energy fuel. The trial at Suape II power station in Recife, Brazil, aims to demonstrate a world-first ethanol-fueled engine for large-scale electricity generation. Ethanol, produced mainly from sugarcane, is seen as a key player in Brazil’s energy transition. The project, booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025, aligns with Brazil’s push to include ethanol as an authorized fuel in upcoming capacity auctions.
Wärtsilä’s involvement underscores their commitment to sustainable energy solutions, part of their WISE program funded by Business Finland. The trial highlights the potential of ethanol as a low-emissions, dispatchable power source, complementing renewable energy. Experts estimate that biofuels like ethanol could nearly double their global use by 2030 to meet net zero emissions goals.
José Faustino Cândido, Energetica Suape II S.A.’s CTO, emphasized the project’s goal to showcase ethanol’s role in Brazil’s future power system. Carlos Alberto Mansur Filho, Grupo Econômico 4M’s shareholder, noted the partnership’s aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and boost Brazil’s green energy independence.
Wärtsilä will operate and maintain the engine under an O&M agreement, ensuring reliable and scalable energy supply. The trial, expected to run until April 2026, could pave the way for broader adoption of ethanol in Brazil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a cleaner energy future.
