Biomass plans fuel fear of 'neo-colonial land grab' in Africa
The company behind plans to build a massive biomass plant in Dundee has said all of its fuel will come from sustainable sources.
The site of the proposed biomass plant for Dundee's docks.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 30.08.10
- Published online : 30.08.10 @ 07.12am
A report by Friends of the Earth Scotland published today claims that demand for biofuels — fuel that comes from living organisms — is out of control and has "triggered a neo-colonial land grab" in Africa.
According to the environmental pressure group around five million hectares of land, an area the size of Denmark, has been acquired from 11 African countries by firms looking to produce biofuels for the European market.
It also claims that communities are losing their land rights, and forests and natural vegetation are being cleared while biofuels are competing with food crops for farm land.
Friends of the Earth Scotland chief executive Duncan McLaren said, "This research shows how the rich world's demand for biofuels has triggered a neo-colonial land grab in Africa.
"Current proposals for massive imports of woody biomass into the UK to generate electricity, such as those in Scotland by Ayrshire Power at Hunterston and Forth Ports in Edinburgh and Dundee, risk fuelling a similar rush to annex African forest.
"Growing world demand for woody biomass for energy production is already stimulating new developments in Africa and elsewhere in the global south where sustainable forest practices cannot be guaranteed: such as West Papua, Guyana, Congo and Liberia.
"The Scottish Government should reject Scottish proposals to import biomass for electricity production.
"Even more land will be required for biofuels if the European Union is to reach its target of 10% of transport fuels from renewable sources by 2020, according to the research."
Adrian Bebb, food and agricultural campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, said, "Our research shows that Europe's demand for biofuels is a major driver of land grabbing in Africa.
"Local communities are facing increasing hunger and food insecurity just so Europe can fuel its cars. The EU must urgently scrap its biofuel policy.
"Europe must invest instead in environmentally friendly agriculture and decrease the energy we use for transport."
Plans to build the biomass plant were lodged with the Scottish Government this month.
Forth Energy claims the plant will generate enough power to provide 86% of Dundee with electricity.
It also says the heat produced by the plant as it burns renewable fuel sources, such as wood pellets, will reduce Dundee's carbon footprint and put the city at the forefront of the renewable technology revolution.
The plant will have a 300-foot chimney and protesters, including Residents Against Tay Turbines, have complained the plant could have a disastrous environmental impact on the city.
However, Forth Energy says studies have shown emissions from the plant will have "no significant effect" on air quality.
Around 300 jobs will be created while the plant is being constructed. Once operating, it will require around 40 permanent staff plus another 20 port jobs.
Forth Energy also hopes to build two wind turbines in nearby Stannergate. The company say they have no plans to source their fuel from Africa.
Ethical sources
Managing director Calum Wilson said, "Forth Energy is committed to using only sustainably sourced fuel in its proposed renewable energy plants and to a fuel procurement process that maintains high standards on environment, social and economic grounds.
"In addition to our own fuel sourcing work we have commissioned an independent study to examine fuel sourcing and availability to ensure that timber is sourced from sustainably, and ethically, managed sources.
"Our current plans are to ship biomass fuel from a variety of locations, including the Baltics, Scandinavia and America.
"Forth Energy seeks to encourage and promote biomass growing activities on land where food crop cultivation is not viable."
10.13am - 01.09.2010 Edvins Balodis - Dundee, UK Report This
It is not sustainable way of business as it cn not relay on constant price i.e. in Baltic states wood price rised in last monts up for 50%. How they will control sustainability issues in forest management? Scandinavia buys wood from Baltic States so all wood will come from Baltic States.
04.29pm - 01.09.2010 Dundonienesis - Dundee, UK Report This
They have no plans to burn biomass fiorm Africa but will happily burn tons of turds from the UK! This is not green energy but dirty energy that is still burning hydrocarbons. The emmissions will be detrimental. Why bother with the V and A with this hidesous smoking monster unbalancing the waterfront
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