Cuba plans to expand the small- and medium-scale use of biogas, according to the Cuban Society for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources and Respect for the Environment (Cubasolar). The country has all of the conditions needed for the development of biogas technology using local resources, engineer José Antonio Guardado, a Cubasolar member, told Tierramérica.

The organization is inviting producers, technicians, researchers and directors of companies that use biogas to share their experiences and knowledge at a conference to be held Feb. 21-24 in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Río.

Biogas is obtained through the anaerobic decomposition of animal manure or plant waste. Its production also results in another valuable byproduct: high-quality fertilizer for use in organic and sustainable agriculture.