Biomass energy generation in Xinjiang, China
Context
China produces 27.32% of global CO2 emissions. A large proportion of its energy still comes from coal, with China now possessing roughly half of the world’s coal power capacity as well as coal-fired power plants in development. Coal contributes more to climate change than any other energy source, as well as damaging local communities, causing health problems due to air pollution, and polluting local water sources.
Biomass power is considered a ‘bridging solution’ – allowing waste products to be used to generate power as an alternative to high-emitting fossil fuels, whilst we scale up capacity for solar, wind and other types of renewables to accommodate our global energy needs. It is important to note that only biomass projects utilising waste products can be categorised as renewable energy projects. The EU recently made their position on this clear, stating that, “Apart from certain exemptions, woody biomass would no longer be considered as renewable energy and would therefore no longer be eligible for incentives meant to promote renewables.” Biomass grown specifically for the purpose of being burned to create energy is not a renewable energy solution, and certainly not something Ecologi would support, as it usually leads to monocultures being grown which are detrimental to biodiversity, and means investment is being diverted from truly renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.
Project
The National Bachu Biomass Power Generation Project creates a new biomass power plant in Bachu County of Xinjiang province. The power plant will make use of waste agricultural biomass as the energy source for a new 12 megawatt steam turbine.
Waste biomass residues (mainly cotton stalks and wood residues) will be collected, and burned to generate electricity. The project is estimated to deliver 79,200 MWh of electricity to the Northwest China Power Grid (NWPG) per year. This will accomplish greenhouse gas mitigation by replacing the same amount of the electricity generated by fossil fuel fired power plants, particularly coal. It is estimated that this project will lead to emissions reductions of 39,037 tCO2e per year.
Cotton is one of the major products of Bachu’s County. Large volumes of cotton stalks would be dumped or be left to decay in the absence of this power plant. The project also directly benefits the local region by creating new jobs and investment opportunities.
The construction of this biomass power plant will help facilitate the transition away from coal, and towards renewable energy generation in China.
Verification
This project is verified by the Gold Standard. You can view it on the Gold Standard registry here.
Climate solution #34
Biomass Power
Biomass feedstock can replace fossil fuels for generating heat and electricity. Only perennial biomass is advisable, offering a “bridge” solution to clean, renewable production.
Carbon-rich biomass can be harvested to produce heat, create steam for electricity production, or be processed into oil or gas. Doing so trades in carbon that is already in circulation, cycling from atmosphere to plants and back again. Grow plants and sequester carbon. Process and burn biomass. Emit carbon. Repeat. It produces net zero new emissions, so long as use and replenishment remain in balance.
By 2050, biomass power could avoid 2.5-3.6 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions.