Negros power plant to use bagasse as fuel

First Farmers Holding Co. signed recently an agreement with Talisay Bioenergy Inc. (TBI) to develop a high technology co-generation plant within the First Farmers compound. Using bagasse, a sugar cane by-product, obtained from the sugar mill as its primary fuel source, this plant will create 30MW of "clean and green" electricity that will help address the impending power crisis in Negros.

Talisay Bioenergy Inc. is a subsidiary of Bronzeoak Philippines, a partnership between Bronzeoak Ltd. from the UK and Zabaleta and Co. from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Bronzeoak is an expert in creating renewable energy power plants internationally. This project will replace the existing boilers at First Farmers mill to generate 30MW of power by using the existing bagasse supply more efficiently. The mill will use this energy to improve its operations. The excess power will be exported to local cooperatives. By using bagasse, this project promotes biomass energy sources and others the province of Negros power solutions other than traditional fossil fuel.

First Farmers has been a positive contributor to Talisay City for many generations. This joint venture with TBI will further improve efficiencies at the sugar mill, making First Farmers more competitive for the long term. Also, by exporting power to the local cooperative, this will help to stabilize the power situation in the area.

This project equates to more jobs for members of the Talisay City community. During the two-year construction period jobs via construction activities will be generated. In addition short-term rotation tree crop plantations will be set up for fuel during the off-season; this with generate more jobs. The farmers will be given additional revenue through the collection of cane trash for additional income from traditional sugar farming.

The partnership between First Farmers and TBI represents a significant amount of foreign investment for the province of Negros Occidental. This project aims to convert agricultural waste into an effective renewal energy power source, generate power for the local electric cooperative at a reasonable rate, and ensure the long term viability of the First Farmers sugar mill.