CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRAILBLAZER IN URUGUAY
“To be able to say that we are the first circular dairy farm in Uruguay, that we produce our own energy and fertilizer by managing waste, is a fascinating feeling. These things are rarely found and talked about in the countryside,” says Pablo Pérez, a dairy farmer from the rural town of Rodriguez, Uruguay.
Pérez and his family have been managing their farm, Rincon de Albano, for over 30 years. In 2015, however, with the help of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project, Biovalor, implemented by the Government of Uruguay and UNIDO to assist with the circular economy transition in Uruguay through cleantech innovations, the farm became famous nationwide as a renewable energy pioneer. It installed the first biodigester, a lifelong dream for Pérez.
His interest in biodigesters stems from reading about the technology in a newspaper when he was young. From that point on, he was captivated by the possibility of generating extra income, while also resolving environmental problems caused by animal manure.
Pérez first considered installing a biodigester on his farm back in 1995 but discovered it was not feasible due to a lack of information and expertise in Uruguay. In 2010, after visiting China and seeing the biodigester technology implemented on a large scale, Pérez finally started the project, but in 2015, the dairy market crashed, and the project stalled.
When in 2015 the opportunity presented itself to propose the idea to Biovalor, the project implemented by UNIDO and the Government of Uruguay to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector, Pérez took his chance and received a green light for both technical and financial support for the installation of the biodigester at the Rincon de Albano.
As a result of cooperation with UNIDO, his farm became the first circular dairy farm in the country and now sets a great example for dairy farming worldwide. Rincon de Albano produces not only milk but also renewable energy (biogas), which he both uses for the farm´s operation and sells to Uruguay´s public energy company. His farm has also managed to reduce GHG emissions by 276,389 kg of CO2 equivalent per annum.
“I went to a rural school and did not understand or know much about biogas and the circular economy. I now feel proud and fulfilled that I have achieved my lifelong dream and have set the example for others to follow,” says Pérez.
For his great effort, investment, and successful execution of the project, Pérez received the National Energy Efficiency Award 2020 and the Uruguay Circular Awards 2020 in the Large Business category.