The Camil Itaqui Biomass Electricity Generation project in Rio Grande, Brazil, uses rice husk for a 4.2 MW facility to generate renewable energy, and simultaneously avoids methane generation from the decay of rice husk at landfill sites. The Rio Grande Area is the biggest producer of rice and rice husk byproduct in Brazil, making it the ideal location for this project. The plant generates 23 GWh of electricity annually

Secondary benefits

• The creation of job opportunities for local communities;
• Demonstrates the feasibility and cost effectiveness of clean technologies in this region;
• The use of locally sourced biomass for energy generation avoids energy transport costs;
• The provision of additional income for farmers promotes rural development in the area;
• A reduction in the use of ecologically hazardous landfill sites.

Standard

This project was approved under the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and registered on 11 February 2006 by the UN’s CDM Executive Board. This ensures the highest level of rigor in the validation, approval and registration of the project.

Baseline Methodology

The emissions reductions associated with this project and the baseline scenario (that is, what would have happened without the implementation of this project) were determined according to a methodology approved by the UN. The methodology applied to this project is that for grid connected renewable energy generation AMS-I.D. & AMS III.E. Version 7.

Additionality

Additionality is demonstrated using the UN’s CDM ‘Tool for Additionality’. Through this, it is demonstrated that the project would not have been commissioned without the revenues derived from the associated sale of emissions reductions. The application of this tool is independently verified by a UN accredited Designated Operational Entity (DOE) – in this case the reputable German company Tüv Süd.

Rationale

The Itaqui project has two significant impacts in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to its implementation, rice husks were left to decay at a landfill site. This process resulted in the release of methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. This project prevents such decomposition and reduces methane emissions. Simultaneously, the project supplies carbon neutral renewable electricity to the local power grid, reducing the requirement for fossil fueled power plants elsewhere in Brazil.

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