Sep 2022
Resolving data gaps
- Successfully applied temporary deviations using conservative grid electricity export data to resolve supervisory system data gaps.
Carbon avoidance
Avoiding methane emissions from landfill in Brazil
Overview
Site
Timeline
Benefits
Verification
Why support this project?
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management contributes substantially to climate change. MSW landfills are the third-largest anthropogenic source of methane, accounting for 11% of global methane emissions as biogas.
This particular landfill is in operation and receives 40% of the total municipal solid waste generated in the state, making it one of the region's most significant single sources of fugitive methane. Supporting this project helps prevent this highly potent greenhouse gas from reaching the atmosphere and generate electricity for the national grid supply.
What is greenhouse gas capture?
Landfill waste releases methane, a greenhouse gas at least 28 times stronger than CO2. Landfill gas projects capture it at the source, avoiding emissions by burning it or converting it into energy.
Project summary
The Macaúbas Project aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through two main activities: capturing and flaring methane (CH₄) from landfill gas (LFG), and generating electricity from this captured methane. The electricity produced will be supplied to the Brazilian national grid, displacing fossil-fuel-generated power and avoiding a further stream of CO₂ emissions. This initiative contributes to sustainable development at both the regional and national levels.
The project's core idea is to avoid emissions of methane gas to the atmosphere from the landfill called "Central de Tratamento de Resíduos Macaúbas," located in the municipality of Sabará, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The project comprises the installation and operation of an active landfill gas collection system, using vertical and horizontal extraction wells under negative pressure to capture biogas before it escapes to the atmosphere, together with enclosed flaring, biogas power generation, and a grid connection system. Enclosed flaring oxidises CH₄ to CO₂ and H₂O, substantially reducing the gas's radiative forcing before release, while the biogas power generation pathway converts the captured methane into electricity, giving the project a dual emission-reduction mechanism: methane destruction at the source and fossil-fuel displacement at the point of grid delivery.
Locations
Sabará, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Timeline
Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.
Apr 2021
Verification and Certification of 2nd Monitoring Period
- Verification and Certification Report (Version 1.1Aa) issued by RINA Services S.p.A., certifying 102,583 tCO2e.
Dec 2020
Post-Registration Changes (PRC-9063-001) Approved
- Revised PDD (Version 5) submitted on Dec 13, 2019 and approved by the CDM Executive Board on Apr 02, 2020
- Updated methodology to ACM0001 v19.0, updated installed target capacity to 9.982 MW, and updated Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane from 21 to 25
Jul 2020
Commencement of 2nd Crediting Period (2020–2027)
- 2nd Crediting Period began for a 7-year duration (Jul 31, 2020 to Jul 30, 2027)
- Estimated annual average emission reductions set at 445,100 tCO2e.
Jul 2020
Execution of 2nd Monitoring Period
- 2nd Monitoring Period covered 150 days from Mar 03, 2020 to Jul 30, 2020
- Achieved 102,580 tCO2e of total GHG emission reductions during this timeframe
Mar 2020
End of 1st Monitoring Period
- 1st Monitoring Period (Jul 31, 2013 to Mar 02, 2020) formally concluded
- Achieved 457,939 tCO2e of total GHG emission reductions
Jul 2018
Installation and Commercial Dispatch of Generator Group 5
- Group Generator 5 was commissioned on Jul 16, 2018
- Generator 5 entered commercial operation on Jul 27, 2018, expanding generation capacity
Sep 2017
Active LFG Collection, Flaring, and Supervisory System Launch
- Active landfill gas collection, flaring, and overall plant operation officially started on Sep 11, 2017
Jul 2017
Commissioning of Power Generators 1 Through 4
- Group Generators 1 and 2 were commissioned on Jul 03, 2017
- Group Generators 3 and 4 were commissioned on Jul 06, 2017, and achieved commercial operation on Jul 12, 2017
Jun 2017
Commercial Operation Start-Up for Generators 1 & 2
- ANEEL authorised commercial electricity dispatch to the grid for Group Generators 1 and 2
- Initiated grid-connected power exports utilising captured landfill gas
Jul 2013
May 2011
Environmental Operation License Issued
- The Environmental Agency of Minas Gerais (COPAM) granted a License of Operation for the CTR Macaúbas landfill
- Established baseline operational parameters for waste handling and environmental compliance
Benefits
Climate
The project prevents the release of methane gas into the atmosphere, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In its current monitoring phase, the project has achieved emission reductions of 102,580 tCO₂e. Additionally, the clean electricity generated by the landfill gas displaces power from fossil fuel-fired plants, further contributing to Brazil's climate action goals.
Nature
By capturing and utilising methane, the project mitigates environmental harm caused by waste decomposition in landfills. It reduces the impact of landfill operations on surrounding ecosystems and helps protect air quality, while supporting cleaner energy production.
People
The project creates new local employment opportunities, including construction, operations, maintenance, monitoring, and security roles. Workers receive specialised training to operate advanced equipment such as blowers, flares, and generators, enhancing their skills and employability. Additionally, the project stimulates the local economy by using local manpower during implementation and paying taxes to the municipality, contributing to income generation in the community.
SDGs supported
By preventing the release of methane into the atmosphere, the project improves air quality, reducing the negative health impacts associated with landfill emissions
The project generates clean electricity from methane gas captured at the landfill, providing a renewable energy source that helps to displace fossil fuel-based power generation. This contributes to energy access and affordability in the region while reducing dependence on polluting energy sources.
The project plays a direct role in mitigating climate change by reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. By capturing and flaring methane, it prevents its release into the atmosphere and contributes to emission reductions, advancing global efforts to combat climate change.
Verification
These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.
Verifiers
Verified Carbon Standard
The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is the world's most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program.
View evidence
Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard
Projects developed under the CCB Program must follow a rigorous assessment process to be certified. The CCB Standards are managed by Verra but were developed through a multi-stakeholder process by the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, a partnership of CARE, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, the Rainforest Alliance and the Wildlife Conservation Society.