 |
|
|
$5 MILLION
STRENGTHENS B.C.’S CLEAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP |
|
VANCOUVER – The $25-million
provincially funded BC Bioenergy Network is awarding almost $5 million in
funding to two biomass pilot projects.
“These
pilot projects will help to further strengthen British Columbia’s environmental
leadership, long-term competitiveness and electricity self-sufficiency,” said Energy,
Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom. “By converting wood
waste into clean energy, these projects will help ensure that we meet our
province’s future energy demands while at the same time supporting economic
growth and job creation.”
The
British Columbia Bioenergy Network has awarded $1.82 million in funding to
Lignol Innovations Ltd. and a further $3 million in funding to Nexterra Energy
Corp. Lignol uses biorefining technology to turn wood waste into fuel-grade
bioethanol and biochemicals. Nexterra develops systems that turn wood waste
into clean, renewable heat and power using biomass gasification technology.
“BCBN invests in technologies that can become
building blocks of a robust clean bioenergy sector here in British Columbia,”
said Michael Weedon, executive director of BCBN. “As we enter these uncertain
economic times, it becomes crucial that we support smart, innovative and
economically tested technologies that can help expand the industry in British
Columbia. BCBN is a leading partner in the commercialization of these
technologies and the opportunities they will bring to the province.”
The BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) was established in April
2008 through a $25-million provincial grant. It is an industry-led association
that is encouraging the development of world-class bioenergy research and
technology, pilot and demonstration projects with industry and communities in
key biomass resource areas. The BCBN has identified the following technology
areas for funding support: solid wood residues, pulp and paper residues,
harvesting and pelletizing, agriculture residues, municipal wastewater,
municipal landfill waste, municipal solid waste and community heating
electricity greenhouse systems.
“Lignol is very pleased to receive this funding from
BCBN,” said Ross MacLachlan, president and CEO of Lignol. “We have invested
significantly in British Columbia, culminating in an overall investment in the
region of some $20 million and a workforce of 37 highly skilled and dedicated
employees at our world-class Biorefinery Technology Centre located on the BCIT
campus. The support from BCBN will play a crucial role in our current expansion
and continued success.”
B.C.
leads the
country in energy production from biomass. Over 800 megawatts of biomass electricity capacity is installed in the
province, enough to power 640,000 households. Pulp and paper mills meet over a
third of their electricity needs through cogeneration of electricity and steam
on site. In 2008, the B.C. wood pellet industry produced around one million
tonnes of wood pellets, of which 90 per cent was exported for thermal power
production overseas.
“Nexterra
is grateful for the continued support from the B.C. government and for its
commitment to making British Columbia a world leader in bioenergy innovation,”
said Jonathan Rhone, president and CEO of Nexterra. “We look forward to helping
the Province achieve its goals for affordable and renewable energy generation
using locally supplied biomass. The support from the BCBN will play a crucial
role as we launch a new generation biomass power system for businesses,
municipalities and public institutions throughout the province.”
This funding follows the recent memorandum of understanding between BCBN
and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced on Jan. 29,
2009. SDTC is an arm’s-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the
Government of Canada, which operates two funds aimed at the development and
demonstration of innovative clean technology solutions. Under the terms of the
agreement, BCBN and SDTC have agreed to work in partnership to identify
high-caliber projects within the B.C. bioenergy sector with the goal of
increasing the number of investment opportunities. SDTC is currently supporting
projects led by Lignol and Nexterra.
For more information on the BC Bioenergy Network,
go to www.bcbioenergy.ca.
Encouraging the
emerging bioenergy industry and developing new and innovative uses for
beetle-wood is part of the BC Bioenergy Plan (www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/bioenergy) and
the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan (www.gov.bc.ca/pinebeetle).
-30-
|
Contact: |
Michael
Weedon, Executive Director BC
Bioenergy Network 604
891-1257 or 604-805-2115 Paul
Hughes Lignol Energy Corporation 604
222-9800 ext. 110 |
Ian
Baillie NextPhase
Strategy Public
Relations 604
761-5540 ibaillie@nextphasestrategy.com Raymond
McAllister Nexterra
Energy Corp. 604
637-2507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
