Assessing economic and environmental feasibility of wood-based electricity generation in South America: A case study from Colombia

Md Farhad Hossain Masum, Puneet Dwivedi and Rafael De La Torre

Forest Policy and Economics, 2021, vol. 124, issue C

Abstract: Biopower could replace traditional diesel-based electricity as a cheaper and carbon-friendly alternative in NE Colombia. Using regional yield and cost data, we analyzed the feasibility of wood-based electricity production from nine clones of eucalyptus and compared it to electricity derived from diesel in the Orinoquia region of Colombia. With our suggested silvicultural prescription, electricity from all the clones was less carbon-intensive than diesel-based electricity by at least 81%, and up to 87%, across selected clones. The unit cost of wood-based electricity was lower than diesel ($280 MWh−1). Clone 5 was the cheapest ($92 MWh−1) and least carbon-intensive (96 kg CO2e MWh−1) feedstock for electricity while the Control Clone was the most expensive ($104 MWh−1) and most carbon-intensive (139 kg CO2e MWh−1). Approximately 5000 hectares of land will be required to ensure sustainable biopower supply for a 10 MW power plant. Specific densities and calorific values of these clones played an essential role in determining the carbon intensity and the cost of generated electricity. Biopower could be promoted in the Orinoquia region with no further economic incentive. Our study will help support the bioeconomy in Colombia, which is exploring ways for boosting rural economies after the conclusion of the Peace Process.

Keywords: Biopower; Renewable; Climate change; Fossil fuels; Rural electricity; Sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:forpol:v:124:y:2021:i:c:s1389934120307073

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102381

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