Chihuahua approves biogas project to generate energy and carbon credits

The Chihuahua City Council has approved the guidelines for 'Biogás Chihuahua,' a project designed to transform methane gas from the city's landfill into an energy and economic resource. Through a public-private partnership, the municipality aims to move beyond simply burning methane to prevent environmental damage, instead seeking to harness it for energy production and financial gain.

The initiative involves private companies, including Biogás de Juárez S. A de C. V and Gases de Metano S. A de C. V, which already possess infrastructure for gas extraction and conduction. Official documents indicate an investment exceeding 31.4 million pesos has been directed toward systems for extracting and burning gas in the landfill's second cell.

City Secretary Roberto Fuentes noted that the project will utilize carbon credit mechanisms. By following methodologies recognized in California, the certificates generated from the project can be sold to companies looking to offset their environmental impact. This scheme allows the municipality to participate in the profits generated from the biogas, turning a previous operational cost into a sustainable source of revenue.