The increasing interest in the recuperation of the biogas coming from organic residues, associated with its energetic use is a subject that has been widely discussed. Biogas was merely seen as a sub-product obtained from anaerobic decomposition (without oxygen) of organic residue. In the paper is carried out an evaluation of the quantities of organic residues coming out from the sugar and alcohol industry (vinasse), urban solid and liquid wastes (garbage and sewage) and livestock residues (bovine and swine manure) in Brazil. Finally the electricity generation potential of biogas out of the evaluated sources of organic residues in Brazil is estimated. The results of this study indicate that the potential regarding the production of biogas out of the aforementioned organic residues of electricity production using could meet an energy demand of about 1.05 to 1.13%. Constraints for biogas energy utilization are identified and discussed. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd