Biomass plant will feed the grid

FIJI – A South Korean biomass company developing a plant in Fiji says it’s 75 per cent complete.

The gross capacity of the biomass plant is 12MW, with electricity to be sold to the Fiji Electricity Authority through its main grid.

Completion of the framework of the plant in Navutu near Sigatoka wrapped up last week, according to the developer.

The plant is a joint venture led by Korean biomass entity GIMCO including Fiji-based Tropik Wood Industries Ltd.

GIMCO said the plan to generate renewable, carbon-free energy will maintain plantations of materials used.

It’s hoped that the plant can ease Fiji’s dependence on diesel and imported fuel, while local hydro power generation is vulnerable to climate disruptions such as drought.

A spokesman for GIMCO said it is expecting to complete the plant’s construction by year’s end.

Another four months would be needed for a test run period, with hopes for a start to commercial operations by the end of April 2017.

The spokesman admitted the company was a bit concerned about delays due to heavy rain and cyclones typically encountered around the coming season in Fiji.

This private sector, foreign-funded project is understood to cost $US45 million. - RNZI