Back Cocktail Isaan Power - the Netherlands - Thai Chamber of ...

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Commerce Interview CCurrent state of play At the moment all preparations are made to start constructing the fi rst of six “rice straw fuelled power plants” in Isaan, located right next to the highway between Korat and Khon Kaen. An educational center will also be built for high school students to learn about the history, and current and future developments of rice and energy. The power plant is surrounded by 12 straw storage shelters. It receives its straw from three villages organized as an agricultural cooperative. IIsaan Power and Sustainability Bram Jansen elaborates on the diff erent advantages of his project: “The environment benefi ts from Isaan Power, because farmers do not have to set fi re to their fi elds anymore. Instead, the farmers sell the straw which is transformed into pellets used as fuel for the power plant. In addition, the project provides jobs for local people so they do not have to move away to urban areas away from their families. Hard physical labor in the rice fi elds will be reduced thanks to mechanization. Finally, NewFuel replaces the need to use fossil fuels for the generation of electricity and it results in substantial reductions of other raw materials.” AAdded value to society Bram relates personally to his project and is proud that it adds value to society through its sustainability. However, he says: “I am not somebody who is going to change the world. I just want to off er practical tools so people can get ahead. This can only happen through good communication with the local village people.” Bram explains that the mentality of the people he works with in Isaan really touched him. The success of his project depends on the cooperation of the rice farmers. Their loyalty and positive att itude led to a very favorable outcome to the test phase of Isaan Power. FFunding and future Funding of a project like Isaan Power remains essential for the success of the project. The World Bank came with an initial capital injection; private equity funds also contributed to the project; and, licenses were sold to generate an additional fi nancial buff er. EGAT (the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) provides subsidies for projects like Isaan Power that produce fuel from biomass. Finally, Isaan Power receives fi nancial compensation for burning these fuels based on the CO2 emission trading system laid down in the Kyoto Protocol. Bram Jansen elaborates that with the support of EGAT and money received via the emission trading scheme, the project should be profi table in the near future. In conclusion, Isaan Power creates a revolutionary chain in the rice industry of North-East Thailand. And when we speak about the grand opening of the fi rst power plant, Bram smiles: “The glamour is not really for me. I care more about the research, development and realization of this project.” 12 volume 3, 2012
UNILIVER page 13
Page 1 and 2: Commerce Magazine of the Netherland
Page 5: NTCC Board of Directors Dr. Pisit L
Page 9: 11. Isaan Power: Straw as Fuel of t
Page 14 and 15: 14 volume 2, 2012
Page 16 and 17: Commerce Interview CCoral Project T
Page 18 and 19: Commerce Event Welcome Back Cocktai
Page 20 and 21: CARGO _ PARTNER page 20
Page 22: Commerce Thai Trade Notes The Nethe
Page 25: Bank of Thailand Export C l as s i
Page 28 and 29: Commerce Centara Watergate Pavillio
Page 31 and 32: Unilever earns “Best CSR Practice
Page 34: Commerce News From Our Members All-

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