KUNAK BIO ENERGY PROJECT

Description

TSH Integrated Industrial Complex, Sabah, Malaysia

KUNAK BIO ENERGY PROJECT

The project activity involved the installation of a new 14 MW cogeneration plant and a steam boiler with a capacity of 80t/hr whereby the power generated is supplied to the grid while the steam generated is to a nearby palm oil mill. The bio energy plant is fuelled with biomass waste (mesocarp fibre, palm kernel shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunches (EFBs)) from the existing palm oil extraction process. These biomasses are available abundantly and was earlier incinerated until the time whereby the ban on open air burning entered into force and the biomass has to be disposed in landfills. The project activity consisted of two (2) parts: • Export of CO2-neutral electricity to the electricity distribution grid where the conventional electricity generation which is highly dependent on fossil fuel in the grid system was replaced and thereby, helped to reduce GHG emissions in the electricity grid system • Utilisation of EFB as a fuel and thus, avoided CH4 emissions from landfill sites where the EFB were deposited The electricity generated is supplied to SESB under a 21-year renewable energy purchase agreement (REPA). The project activity is a part of the Government of Malaysia’s Small Renewable Energy Programme (SREP) which is to facilitate the development of electricity generation on small-scale renewable energy plants that allows electricity export to the grid with a capacity of up to 10 MWe. In the future, balance of electricity after export to the grid may be sold directly to a nearby industry. The project reduces CO2 in replacing conventional electricity generation that is highly dependent on fossil fuel. In addition, CH4 generation from EFB is avoided as under the project activity, EFB that was previously dumped in the unmanaged landfill site are now being utilised as biomass fuel.

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