Sustainable energy production in the Amazon
This project is the first ever to produce greenhouse gas emission reductions based on sustainably harvested biomass from an FSC-certified forestry operation. The wood-fired power plant with 9 MW electrical capacity is located in Itacoatiara, in the Brazilian Amazon, next to the sawmill of Precious Woods. It replaces most of the town’s diesel generators and supplies the 70 000 inhabitants with electricity. The power plant does not only contribute to the mitigation of global climate change but also enables the local population to benefit from lower energy prices and a more stable energy supply.
The emission reduction project is part of an integrated forest operation that aims at preserving tropical forests in the long term and preventing them from being deforested, by combining economic use of sustainably managed forests, generation of local employment opportunities and local energy production. The wood residuals used in the power plant originate from the processing of timber that has been harvested in the forests of Precious Woods in accordance with the strict environmental and social criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
In order to preserve the integrity and all vital functions of the forest, only 2-3 trees per hectare are harvested in a 25 years cycle. Thus, the substance of the forest is maintained permanently, as less wood is extracted than naturally regenerates. Low-impact felling and skidding techniques are employed and forest roads are kept to a minimum. The best way to conserve tropical forests is by managing them sustainably; that is the vision of Precious Woods. In other words: “Use it or lose it”.
More information about the project (PDF, 2.3 Mb)
More information about Precious Woods: www.preciouswoods.com
