TOPIC 'Bioenergy' on Oct 27, 2008 (CET)
Bulgaria to Build Six New Biomass Plants
Bulgaria currently has one power plant that provides a heating source though biomass fuel. Six more biomass plants are scheduled for development in Bulgaria. Mape Development is a joint-venture company between Bulgaria and Portugal. It is part of a consortium of Portuguese entities called the MAPA SGPS Group. During the next four years, the development company will invest 150 million euro toward the goal of constructing six more biomass-fueled plants in Bulgaria. Five biomass-fueled power plants are scheduled to be built in Portugal.
Bulgaria’s first power plant operating on biomass technology serves to provide heat for the city buildings and hotels in the local area of Bansko, a ski resort in western Bulgaria. The second facility in Bulgaria (the first of the new Mape Development plans) is scheduled to be constructed in central Bulgaria, in the town of Panagyurishte.
Bulgaria’s power company, Enemona, has been bestowed with a certificate for its investment and proposal for building a biomass-fueled power plant in Nikopol. The announcement was made in March 2008 that Enemona would invest 100 million levs to construct a power plant that would also function as a heating source using biomass materials. It is anticipated to provide 15 MW of power capability and 45 MW of heat. The plant is estimated to be completed and fully functional by the end of 2010. The company also plans to build two more plants by 2015 in northern Bulgaria with a total power capability of 35 MW.
Biomass, in essence, is organic scrap material which, up until now, has been discarded and wasted. With this new technology, it can now realize a full potential by providing an alternative energy source. It only makes good sense; everything can be used in some shape or form. Take advantage of the tools we are presented with. Bulgaria, with these efforts, is striving to reach the goals set by the European Union for using renewable energy sources. The country’s goal is to have renewable energy use up to 11 percent of its annual power consumption by 2010, reaching to 16 percent in 2020.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
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