16 December 2011
Today, MyRate reviews one of the carbon offset projects being invested in as part of our Certification commitment with the Carbon Reduction Institute.
This is a highly effective project that gives a value to waste rice husks that were previously being left to decay in the fields of Chhattisgarh state located in central eastern India.
The Chhattisgarh region economy is mainly driven by rice cultivation and as a result of extensive farming is leaving behind a large amount of waste rice husks.
On the other hand, most of the electricity for the region has been produced from coal & has had to be imported from the grid which has had a tremendous impact on greenhouse gas emission high levels.
The Carbon Reduction Institute partnered with one local paper and pulp plant (Hanuman Agro Industries) to launch a renewable energy project where rice waste could be transformed into electricity.
Supported by carbon offset revenues the plant owners decided to replace their existing installations with a 2.5 megawatt co‐generation unit using biomass -especially rice husk- as a fuel instead of coal.
This enables the plant equipment to supply all electricity and steam required for the plant’s production processes.
The results are outstanding: The project which started in 2005 has enabled to reduce carbon emissions of 32,500 tonnes per year. In addition this project supports sustainable development in the region by:
• Creating jobs in the construction, maintenance, and operation of the plant as well as in the rice husk logistics
• Creating additional income for farmers from agricultural waste
• Alleviating the load on the regional electricity grid
• Reducing emissions of air pollutants from fossil fuel burning like SO2, soot and particulate matter
• Demonstrating and spreading renewable energy technology
• Creating a role model for regional empowerment through environmental friendly technology
At MyRate we are really happy that projects like that can take place in the world.
We are doing our bit for the environment by offsetting the climate change impact of all MyRate home loans.
For more information on the Carbon Institute visit : http://www.noco2.com.au/
