Global warming, climate change, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission are topics of general concern worldwide. As a result, renewable energy in power generation has been playing an important role to promote sustainable development. According to the Kyoto Protocol, which specifies that countries should follow the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Colombia is supporting projects that focus on renewable energy, such as biogas. Biogas outstands as a power generation source because it can be made from municipal solid waste (MSW) in a non expensive manner. Finding a use for MSW is one of biogas' major appeals.
The National Development Plan (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo) of the Colombian Government has stated specific goals and concrete objectives concerning measures related to the control of climate changes and global warming. It will not only increase the number of CDM projects, but it will also be offering tributary incentives to companies conducting projects that provide certified emission reductions (CERs) of disposals that boost GHG emissions. This can be seen as a relevant opportunity for companies when making their investment decisions in biogas.
Furthermore, alternative energy sources, especially biogas, can be extremely important in regions of the country that are geographically isolated from big centers such as Bogota, Cali and Medellin. That is because biogas can be produced by the end user at low cost, as the main input for the process consists of waste. Also, it reduces the dependency on conventional energy sources; reducing as well all the risks related to the price variations of these conventional sources.
In addition, Doña Juana – one of the largest landfills in the country and in South America, receiving over 2 million tons of waste annually – is due to close in 2016. Therefore, biogas used for power generation is an important way for Colombia to develop more cost-effective and sustainable solutions for MSW and for the great amount of GHG that is produced there.
Biogas used for power generation can play an important role in Colombia. Additionally, it is crucial the development and improvement of biogas projects. An increase in Colombia's general awareness would be a good start, which could done by the intensification of the publicity of government incentives for energy generation through biogas, as well as its benefits to the society and to individuals. [1]
