Lao Cai: Conference to introduce biomass potential, opening up opportunities for green energy development

Attending the Conference were leaders of the Departments of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment, Provincial Farmers' Association, Provincial Cooperative Union, Forestry Department, Provincial Business Association, together with representatives of People's Committees of communes, wards, forest planting households and forest product processing enterprises.

Lao Cai owns more than 859 thousand hectares of forest, of which more than 336 thousand hectares are production forests with key trees such as acacia, eucalyptus, linden, and cinnamon. This is an abundant source of supply for the biomass energy processing and production industry.

In addition, wood processing facilities in the province, such as chipboard, plywood and sawn timber production, generate large amounts of waste and by-products. Currently, these by-products have been used to produce pellets and fuel for industrial boilers and will become an important source of raw materials for biomass power plants in the future.

Lao Cai Province has coordinated with Erex Joint Stock Company (Japan) to survey and research raw material areas and approve the investment policy for Yen Bai 1 Biomass Power Plant, implemented by Erex Sakura Biomass Yen Bai Co., Ltd., built in Bac Van Yen Industrial Cluster (Dong Cuong Commune). The plant is expected to operate at the end of 2027, with a capacity of 50 MW, consuming about 500 thousand tons of raw materials/year (sawdust, bark, branches and leaves...), contributing to increasing income for people, reducing waste of forestry by-products and promoting the transition to green energy.

At the conference, the parties discussed raw material needs, collection and transportation methods and cooperation mechanisms to build a sustainable biomass supply chain.

Leaders of Lao Cai Province Cooperative Union spoke at the Conference.

Mr. Saito Yasushi, Director of Erex Sakura Biomass Yen Bai Co., Ltd. spoke at the Conference.

Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of the province Hoang Chi Hien spoke at the Conference.

The representative of the Department of Industry and Trade emphasized the importance of completing cooperation agreements between investors and enterprises, cooperatives and households to ensure stable supply. The Department also committed to supporting investors in planning raw material areas, land, environment and preferential policies.

The Farmers’ Association, the Cooperative Union, and the Provincial Business Association are also required to increase mobilization of members and businesses to participate in the supply chain. The Department of Industry and Trade will act as a focal point to receive and resolve difficulties, ensuring the project is implemented on schedule.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-cai-hoi-nghi-gioi-thieu-tiem-nang-sinh-khoi-mo-ra-co-hoi-phat-trien-nang-luong-xanh-post880524.html