German technology firms are seeking local partners in developing the Philippines's biomass industry and help the country establish more alternative sources of power.

The German­Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) said German companies see the vast potential of the Philippines in the biomass and biogas industry given the rich resources that can be utilized for power generation here.

"The Philippines's abundance in rice husk, straw, bagasse and sugarcane tops, coconut husk and fronds, and other biomass resources places the country in a ripe position for alternative power development, an area that the European firms are keen to tap into through local partnerships," the GPCCI said.

To this end, German technology firms EnBW Energie Baden Wuerttemberg AG, EnviTec Biogas AG, LAWI Engineering GmbH, CUTEC Institut GmbH, PV2 Energie GmbH and Binder Group GmbH are scheduled to attend the Second Philippine­German Forum for Energy from Biomass and Biogas on March 31 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City.

The forum is part of the "Renewables—Made in Germany" initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

It is organized jointly with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the GPCCI, with support from the German International Cooperation office (GIZ) in Manila.

The said firms are expected to share their expertise and know­how in the field of biogas and biomass development.

Specifically, the country's opportunities in the biogas and biomass industry, as well as how German technology can expand the Philippines biomass market, will be taken up.

Moreover, the possibility to decentralize power production—a pertinent issue affecting the country's current pc/wer stability—through biogas plants will also be highlighted in the forum.

Notably, the German biomass­technology firms are aiming to form partnerships with interested Philippines companies for possible project tie­ups after the forum.

The organizers are devoting April 1 and 2 for meetings between the German firms and their Philippines counterparts.

Germany is the largest biogas producer in the European Union with a share of 60 percent of the total European biogas production.

The web site of the "Renewables—Made in Germany" initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany, states that more than half of European biogas energy production is of German origin.

Additionally, as of end­2012, there were 7,500 biogas plants operating in Germany, providing electricity to 6.5 million households. In 2012, the construction and operation of biogas plants helped to secure approximately 45,000 jobs.

Information from the European Biomass Industry Association (Eubia) states that the potential for bio­energy for developing countries is substantial, with the Philippines having an advantage in the area of biomass energy production and trade.

Eubia data show that the estimated employment potential for the Philippines is at 700,000 for workers engaged in energy production, and 140,000 for those in biomass trade.

Source:  Business Mirror, 24 March 2014