World-first engine test to convert sugarcane into clean power

Technology group Wärtsilä has partnered with Brazilian energy company Energetica Suape II to conduct a world-first clean energy trial, which will see bioethanol mainly produced from sugarcane – used to generate clean power.
Taking place at the Suape II power station in Recife, Brazil, the trial will test the world’s-first ethanol-fuelled engine for large-scale electricity generation.
The ethanol demonstration upgrade project was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.
This partnership was initiated by Carlos Alberto Mansur Filho, shareholder of Grupo Econômico 4M, to generate clean and reliable energy. Having an established partnership with Wärtsilä, Mansur selected Wärtsilä for this opportunity due to their shared focus on innovation and clean energy.
The trial underscores Wärtsilä’s dedication to creating future-proof engines which can run on a variety of sustainable fuels and enable the energy transition at the lowest cost and emissions.
It is part of the WISE (Wide and Intelligent Sustainable Energy) programme, led by Wärtsilä and co-funded by Business Finland, the official Finnish government agency for trade, investment promotion and innovation funding.