FG may adopt Lafarge’s biomass technology to generate power for industries

Having considered negative impacts and economic losses recorded due to dearth of electricity and high cost of power generation among industrialists and investors in the country, Federal Government has sought Lafarge Africa’s partnership on using biomass residues to generate electricity for industrial use.

It will be recalled that Lafarge Africa PLC, a member of LafargeHolcim, had in September, 2016 commissioned Biomass Alternative Fuel Feeding System in partnership with Ogun state government, using palm kernel shells to generate about 50% power requirements at Lafarge Ewekoro Cement Plant with a plan to replicate the technology in all its plants across the country.

Speaking out the Federal Government’s mind during a facility tour conducted around Lafarge’s Plant in Ewekoro, Ogun state at the weekend, Kayode Fayemi Minister of Mines and Steel Development, requested Lafarge Africa to support Federal Government in its drive towards ensuring adequate power generation and distribution, particularly at the industrial hubs.

He said, “Lafarge CEO told me that they get play kernel shells, that is what they are using in producing biomass that fuels the plant, so, they are saving money that would have been used to buy fuel, and foreign exchange is now being saved, and now using biomass to power klins and recycle waste for power generation.

“It is 50% power generation now, but they will get to 100% soon. When we are talking about environment-friendly production site, that is something to take away from LafargeHolcim here in Ogun state and I hope there are lessons to take on board. That is not to say that coal should not be used because we have coal in Nigeria that will also save us foreign exchange utilisation.

“Power is an existential need for us in Nigeria, we are desperately in need of adding more generation of power in order to fuel all these plants that are developing, and Ogun state is a major destination for industries, they are so many industries that are setting up here, Ogun state ranks first in terms of siting of new plants.

“Everyday, you have a new company here and you want to ensure that there is enough power for those companies that are setting up here, whether it’s biomass, coal or natural gas on renewable energy, you what to ensure that you have enough power to use. So, for us, we are impressed with what we have seen and we want to support Lafarge to expand its operations.”

Responding, Michel Puchercos, Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa PLC, disclosed that the negative impacts of economic recession prompted the cement company to develop alternative means to generate energy that fuels its plant as Ewekoro cement plant now uses 50% of biomass alternative fuel feeding system.

He said, “We realised last year that dollars were scarce and energy was scarce in Nigeria. So, the company reacted very strongly, how can we do both? We wanted to do both – keeping on producing and saving energy and US Dollars.

“This is how the idea of using biomass came and Ogun state is Agriculture hub as well, we need to produce 50% power from biomass and we can grow it to 70% – 80%, but first is to roll out the scheme in other plants; in Cross River state, in Ashaka, Gombe state and just across the road in Ewekoro II. This is what we aim at doing.

“We are using palm kernel shells to produce biomass that fuels our plant. Also, burning and recycling wastes like silica and aluminium which are dangerous to man to generate electricity and improve standard of living. If Nigeria is ready, we are ready to support.”