20 June 2025
Instead of fighting nature, you can cooperate with it. The Caribbean shows the world how to transform a serious ecological problem into an innovative source of renewable energy. Sargassum algae, which have been flooding the coasts for years, are now used in the production of biogas. This is not only a step towards clean energy, but also a real benefit for the environment and local communities.
Sargassum - an ecological plague that has become an opportunity
For over a decade, the Caribbean has been struggling with a massive influx of brown algae Sargassum. Their excess causes:
- beach pollution,
- problems for tourism and fishing,
- emission of toxic hydrogen sulfide during decomposition,
- Disposal costs in millions of dollars.
In 2023, the Sargassum range in the Atlantic Ocean reached Length 8000km - That's as much as the Amazon!
Instead of wasting - recover! Algae biogas as a renewable energy source
An innovative approach was presented by the company sargas from Granada, which in cooperation with the University of West Indies began the processing of Sargassum on biogas using anaerobic fermentation. The results turned out to be really impressive:
- 1 ton of dry algae = 400 m³ of biogas,
- This translates to approx 250 kWh of electricity,
- The process significantly reduces hydrogen sulfide emissions, improving air quality.
The test installations are already working, which results in a biogas supplying turbines, heating systems and generators, and post-fermentation residues serve as natural manure.
Circular economy - ecology and energy in one
Implementation of projects such as biogas from Sargassum is a perfect example circular economyin which waste becomes a resource. Instead of disposing of problematic algae, they are transformed into something valuable:
- green energy,
- Ecological fertilizers,
- and A cleaner environment.
This solution is also gaining popularity outside of Granada - similar pilots have already started in Jamaica, Barbados and Saint Lucia.
Inspiration for Poland?
Although Sargassum does not occur in Europe, Poland may follow this model of resource and energy management. We also have fully unused biological raw materials that can feed the green transformation.
In Polish conditions, they have a large potential:
- meadow biomass and energy plants,
- sewage sludge from the sewage treatment plant,
- leftovers from agricultural production and food processing,
- Grasses and weeds from degraded or difficult agricultural areas.
Properly processed, they can supply local biogas plants, providing heat and electricity for municipalities, farms or production plants.
Following the example of the Caribbean, also in Poland, cooperation between science, local governments and business is needed - because it is an innovative approach, quick implementation and local solutions that bring the greatest results. By using our own available waste, we can realistically increase the share of RES, improve the quality of the environment and become independent from imported raw materials.
A future driven by reason
The Caribbean has shown that energy sources can come from places that have so far been treated as a problem. Thanks to knowledge, technology and courage in implementing solutions, something as unwanted as Sargassum algae is turning into energy, ecological and social value.
This approach can be an inspiration not only for Poland, but for the whole world:
- act locally, use what we have at hand,
- invest in bio-waste processing technologies,
- think about energy in terms of a closed circuit.
Instead of fighting nature, let's learn to use it wisely. Because it is in local, renewable sources that the future of clean and sustainable energy lies.
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