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The
project consists of the utilization of
rice hulls as the power plant fuel. The
project involves a 6 MW biomass combustor
and electrical generating system designed
to operate on rice hulls and deliver power
to the Ileco Power Cooperative at Iliolo
on Panay Island. CO2 emissions reductions
will be achieved by supplanting diesel
based power on the island and by avoiding
traditional means of rice hull disposal (open
field burning and dumping in river beds
and where decomposition takes place). This
is the first of 20 to 40 replications
intended throughout the islands. The
production of electricity from a waste
product results in less energy being
required from fossil-fueled plants,
resulting in less fossil emissions.
Furthermore, the low emissions of the
Bioten process will greatly reduce this
type of pollution. The project is expected
to reduce approximately 3 million metric
tons of CO2 emissions equivalent over the
project life (25 years).
The Philippines, has a prominent rice
production sector but lacks a reliable
electricity source. Thought the years the
Filipino rice growers have faced this
problem, and used diesel engines to
produce electricity as an alternative
source. As a result, the use of rice-hulls
as a potential source of energy became a
possibility. The Bioten technology would
provide the opportunity to supply this
need. The aforementioned rice-hulls, are
disposed of alongside roads or by open-field
burning, which damages the environment
tremendously. The conversion of this ag-waste
to electricity will not only provide cost
effective energy but above all, it will
not harm the environment. The need for a
project of this type in the Philippines,
and its replication potential wherever
rice is grown, represent long-term
economic benefit to the Philippines and
reduction of global warming.
The use of rice-hulls as an energy source
has encouraged a group of developers to
join forces and create this new type of
energy production. The joint participation
include: TAZCOGEN Development Inc., Bioten
GP, Separation Technologies, Salco Power
Corp., PADISCOR, and CASURECO II. The
project commenced in August 1996, the
current investors then met with various
agencies and then identified and visited
four potential sites: Iloilo, Bulacan,
Isabela, and Nueva Ecija. Consequently,
the parties involved have started the
application process for three power
purchase agreements with the National
Power Company, an application for
accreditation, and initiated discussions
with the Export-Import Bank for a lease
financing plan for this project. |
