The Zhanjiang Biomass Power Plant in China’s Guangdong province, the largest biomass power plant in the world, produces electricity by consuming local biomass fuels, including mallet bark and bagasse, Guangzhou Daily reported.

According to insiders, the power plant can supply over 650 million kilowatt-hours on a yearly basis. Biomass power generation is able to help the plant save more than 280,000 tons of coal, can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 480,000 tons in a year, and achieve zero emission of sulfur dioxide.

In addition, the plant director stressed that the plant spends 250 million RMB ($37.2 million) to 300 million RMB ($44.6 million) annually on local biomass fuels such as bark, saw dust, and chaff. This has boosted local farmers’ income, as a large amount of the capital returns to the farmers who offer the fuels to the plant.

Night view of the plant

Like many biomass power plants in China, development of the Zhanjiang Power Plant is also affected by the quality, stock, and supply of fuels.

At present, the plant is researching second-generation pure biomass fuels like bamboo reed with relatively low emissions of sulfur dioxide during burning, as well as short growth cycles of only four months. If the fuel could be put into use, it will significantly ease the plight of the plant in terms of securing a stable supply of biomass fuels.