In the functioning of these factories, sugar-cane is ground, and
the resulting product is used for sugar extraction or in a fermentation
process to produce alcohol. Currently, sugar-cane bagasse is
burned in a boiler to produce steam utilized in factory processes
and also to power turbines for the production of electrical energy
which supplies the energy needs of the factories with the excess
being commercialized in the region. In 2008, sugar cane products
represented 16.4% of the total energy produced in Brazil, and production
is subsequently increasing (BEN, 2009).