LONDON -- The largest state in Brazil plans to generate almost 70 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2020.

The government of Sao Paulo has launched an energy plan which roadmaps the development of the state’s energy mix and highlights how it plans to utilise more renewables.

The plan sees the state’s share of renewable sources rise from the current 55 percent to 69 percent by 2020 – a target which is in line with the state’s climate change policy.

"It's an innovative plan that sets out our goals for increasing renewable energy," said state governor Geraldo Alckmin.

Energy secretary José Aníbal said that the state would be looking to further exploit the role of bioenergy via the production of sugar and alcohol. He said that between now and 2020 some US $12 billion in private sector investment would be pumped into the development of bioenergy, which would take its installed output from 4800 MW at the moment to 13,000 MW by 2020.

Further development of wind generation and photovoltaics are also highlighted in the energy plan.

Lead image: Sao Paulo via Shutterstock