Abstract Paper aims The research aims to identify the main barriers to scaling up the energy production expansion systems from biogas and biomass in Brazil. Originality This article aggregates information and different perceptions from a systemic view for bioelectricity production from biomass. It brings to the fore the discussion of bioenergy production from other types of biomass, which encompass a wide range of actors in the production chain. Research method We adopted a qualitative approach by applying semi-structured interviews with 19 experts from 15 institutions considering various biomass and biogas power generation segments. Main findings This paper identifies five barrier categories that restrain or affect the country’s broad electricity production from biomass and biogas: circumstantial, cultural, technical, and include other uses of biogas and biomethane. The financial and cultural barriers are the most mentioned by the experts. Financial difficulties of the plants, sector conservatism, issues in the electricity sector, and lack of knowledge limit the potential and interest in developing new projects. Implications for theory and practice The results contribute to the development of sectoral public policies as it brings up non-explicit information and reveals broad perspectives aimed at integrating the themes of biogas and biomass. Also, the research adds to the debate on the analysis boundaries of this theme and can support future empirical studies in developing countries that seek to expand renewable sources to power generation from biomass.

Este trabalho discute o papel do gás natural no Brasil e no mundo, sugerindo que a humanidade está no caminho de construir o que se pode chamar de "Civilização do gás". Parte-se de um breve panorama da realidade energética internacional, comparando-se vários cenários, de instituições de reconhecida competência, que procuram descrever possibilidades para o futuro energético do planeta. Uma análise comparada desses cenários permite identificar o consumo crescente do gás natural como uma das tendências fortes para os próximos vinte a cinqüenta anos. Em seguida, introduz-se o conceito de "Civilização do gás", apresentando alguns elementos que o justificam. Oferece-se, então, uma perspectiva brasileira do problema. A partir de antecedentes históricos da indústria do gás no Brasil, apresenta-se uma visão crítica sobre o futuro dos gases combustíveis na matriz energética nacional.

This work discusses the role of natural gas in Brazil and in the world, suggesting that the humanity is building up a kind of Gas Civilization. The text starts with a brief panorama of the international energy reality comparing several scenarios proposed by recognized institutions, and which try to describe possibilities for the future of energy in the planet. Such comparative analysis allows identifying the growing consumption of natural gas as a strong energy trend for the next 20 to 50 years. Then, the concept of Gas Civilization is introduced, presenting some elements justifying it. Following, the article offers a Brazilian perspective of the problem, starting from the historical antecedents of the gas industry in Brazil, and developing a critical vision regarding the future role of the combustible gases in the Brazilian energy mix.