[June 27, 2008]

Palm oil firm moving into biomass: Renewable energy will mean zero waste

(KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 26--Kanjanadit Palm Oil Co (KPO) is investing 250 million baht to expand its palm oil capacity and develop a renewable energy facility at its palm oil factory in Surat Thani.

By using the biomass gasification system (BGS), KPO aims to achieve its zero-waste strategy by 2010, said managing director Somyot Suksawat.

KPO signed a technology transfer agreement yesterday with Chinese-based Bestwork Co to help develop the biomass system. KPO will invest 120 million baht in the biomass power project scheduled to start operating by 2010.

The facility would generate 1.2 megawatts of power in the first phase, which requires an investment of 60 million baht, said Mr Somyot, adding that the operation was expected to be launched in late 2008.

By year-end, the company would invest an additional 60 million baht for the 1.2-megawatt second phase of the biomass plant.

Another 100 million baht would be spent to construct a two-megawatt power generator fuelled by methane from waste water.

"The move will help KPO to cope with increasing energy costs and to better manage wastes from our production plant," Mr Somyot said.

Last year, KPO paid 800,000 baht per month for electricity. But the expense had been reduced to 500,000 baht now that the company was applying an energy efficiency programme under the Department of Industrial Promotion.

"Once the three power units are operational, KPO will not only be able to cut energy expenditures, but also gain additional revenue of at least one million baht a month by selling power left over from our internal needs to the Provincial Electricity Authority," Mr Somyot said.

Source: tmcnet.com

my wife's family is planting palm trees on their land in southern part of NST province.

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