Monday, August 13, 2007 Soon-to-open biogas plant in Cebu to stabilize power in Visayas By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
PHILIPPINE Bio-Sciences Co., Inc. (PhilBio) and its CDM Development subsidiary in Cebu, represented by its branch manager Ricky Beltran, assured Sunday Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) President Roberto Montelibano that a 10 megawatt biogas plant will soon operate in Cebu.
CDM stands for “Clean Development Mechanism,” and presently constructing a bio-gas electric plant in Cebu which will fully operate by the end 2008.
Biogas technology converts organic waste to electric energy and its processes is much lower than fossil fuels used by National Power Corp. (Napocor) in terms of price per kilowatt hour.
PhilBio is the company that Greenpeace is contracting for the re-charging facilities of its electric jeepneys.
Beltran said he is in Bacolod to explore markets for biogas energy conversion and education, adding, “Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, we develop this biogas technology that electric cooperatives may benefit from our efforts.”
“If we don’t act now, we won’t be able to develop anything and for all we know, 2011 will already be here. If we are not ready for that, then our local industry will have no electricity and we’ll suffer,” Beltran added.
Beltran estimated that biogas electricity is 20 percent lower than Napocor fossil fueled electricity mechanism.
But Beltran admitted having no knowledge of how electric jeeps will be tested here in Bacolod or in Makati, saying, “Our participation is only the re-charging of its batteries.”
Though, he stressed, “What I’m knowledgeable of is the development of biogas technology and its feasibility. Greenpeace’s business is beyond me except that all it needs is some 1,000 kilowatts to charge 30 units.”
Meanwhile, Montelibano added that at about the same time next year, First Farmers Milling Co. in Talisay City will also operate a 25-megawatt biogas plant. “Ceneco has a standing contract with First Farmers to gradually fill in the gap. By 2009, the Department of Energy (DOE) forecasted a 100 megawatt power shortage in the Visayas. It will grow bigger as the years go by because of growing population and increasing industrialization,” Montelibano said.
Montelibano added, It is not impossible to extend partnership with PhilBio as Bacolod City alone collects some 240 tons of organic waste.
“The search must go on for alternative fuel. Renewable energy like biogas is most welcome. Also, kasla (jathropa) and sugar bioethanol extracts,” he said.
“We envision that time will come when our resources can be developed to cope with the energy shortages and to lower its cost,” he added.
