Guyana: 162,000 hectares of palm oil for biofuels
A company based in the Caribbean island state of Barbados today announced that it has struck a deal with the government of Guyana, on the continent, that could pave the way for cheaper fuel prices in Barbados.
Integrated Bio-Energy Resources Limited got the green light last week to utilise more than 162,000 hectares (400,000 acres) of land in the South American country for a palm oil plant project to produce bio-diesel.
According to the FAO's Terrastat, Guyana has one of the highest per capita arable land bases in South America, estimated at 16.1 hectares per person. The country only uses 3.7% of its entire potential arable land area. Guyana itself recently launched the construction of a large integrated biofuel plant that will produce both biogas and ethanol made from sweet potatoes (earlier post).
Managing director Hally Haynes says Phase 1 of the agreement starts next May with a starter programme of more than 2400 hectares (6,000 acres) of palm oil plants, which will also include the creation of supporting refineries in Guyana and Barbados.
Interestingly, instead of establishing a plantation from scratch, which takes about 3 to 5 years, the company is purchasing mature oil palms that will be producing commercial yields within six months after being planted.
The company is projecting to produce over one million gallons [3.785 million liters] of biodiesel per day, with plans for expansion to over three million gallons per day [11.36 million liters] making it one of the Caribbean's largest operations. 11.36 million liters per day comes down to a production of roughly 71,000 barrels oil equivalent per day:
biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: palm oil :: biodiesel :: Guyana :: Barbados ::
Haynes also noted talks had already begun with the Barbados Government and it was estimated that the company would generate an income of over US$13 million at the end of the first year.
Haynes said that given the see-saw position with crude oil, a number of countries worldwide had opted to use biofuel production as an alternative source of energy.
He also pointed out that a number of job opportunities would soon become available, especially for engineers to work at the refineries. He estimated that when the project got into full operation in about five years, employment would be available for about 500 Barbadians, including the farming community.
Haynes also spoke about his company's unique and high-tech approach to the project.
"Our business model focuses on the production of bio-diesel to the exclusion of vegetable oil, kernel oil and industrial agents. We will have purer high-density yield oil palm seeds."
Integrated Bio-Energy Resources Limited got the green light last week to utilise more than 162,000 hectares (400,000 acres) of land in the South American country for a palm oil plant project to produce bio-diesel.
According to the FAO's Terrastat, Guyana has one of the highest per capita arable land bases in South America, estimated at 16.1 hectares per person. The country only uses 3.7% of its entire potential arable land area. Guyana itself recently launched the construction of a large integrated biofuel plant that will produce both biogas and ethanol made from sweet potatoes (earlier post).
Managing director Hally Haynes says Phase 1 of the agreement starts next May with a starter programme of more than 2400 hectares (6,000 acres) of palm oil plants, which will also include the creation of supporting refineries in Guyana and Barbados.
Interestingly, instead of establishing a plantation from scratch, which takes about 3 to 5 years, the company is purchasing mature oil palms that will be producing commercial yields within six months after being planted.
The company is projecting to produce over one million gallons [3.785 million liters] of biodiesel per day, with plans for expansion to over three million gallons per day [11.36 million liters] making it one of the Caribbean's largest operations. 11.36 million liters per day comes down to a production of roughly 71,000 barrels oil equivalent per day:
biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: palm oil :: biodiesel :: Guyana :: Barbados ::
Haynes also noted talks had already begun with the Barbados Government and it was estimated that the company would generate an income of over US$13 million at the end of the first year.
Haynes said that given the see-saw position with crude oil, a number of countries worldwide had opted to use biofuel production as an alternative source of energy.
He also pointed out that a number of job opportunities would soon become available, especially for engineers to work at the refineries. He estimated that when the project got into full operation in about five years, employment would be available for about 500 Barbadians, including the farming community.
Haynes also spoke about his company's unique and high-tech approach to the project.
"Our business model focuses on the production of bio-diesel to the exclusion of vegetable oil, kernel oil and industrial agents. We will have purer high-density yield oil palm seeds."
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