In 1993, Santa Elisa’s cogenerating capacity was less than 13 MW. Until then, the company had focused on meeting its own energy demand only. In 1993, the power plant was enlarged and two 8 MW turbo generators were added. In 1998, the company shifted an old 4 MW turbo generator to a new 6 MW. As a result, the total installed capacity in 1999 was 31 MW. From 1994 until 2001, Santa Elisa was able to supply the grid with approximately 5 MWh during the harvest season which, in this region, serves to meet the needs of a town with approximately 60000 inhabitants.

Santa Elisa’s bagasse cogeneration project involves new investments to install new boilers and generators, and increase capacity and efficiency of the plant. At the same time, investments in the production of sugar and alcohol are being made, so that the steam consumption of the sugar production process is reduced to 400 kg of steam per ton of sugarcane crushed. The phases of the project are described below.