BIOMASS

BIOMASS AS AN ENERGY SOURCE

Being a semi-arid country, the availability of biomass feedstock in South Africa is constrained, accounting for comparatively low1
levels of development. To determine availability, potential and feasibility of the country’s bioenergy resource, the Department of
Science and Technology commissioned the development of a Bioenergy Atlas for South Africa. The atlas, expected to be publicly
available before the end of 2015, will significantly strengthen the availability of quality information including a resource map.

HOW DOES POWER FROM BIOMASS WORK?

This technology involves converting biomass, such as agricultural and forestry residues, into electricity. This is achieved by
either burning the biomass to raise stream which drives a steam turbine, or by gasifying the biomass and using the gas to drive
an electrical generator.

Steam
Turbine roated
by steam
Agricultural or
Forestry Residues Boiler

Burning of
Biomass
Rotating Shaft Electrical Power
Feedstock
Supply Boiler Steam Turbine

GREEN ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

• Most of the country is classified as semi-arid, but the east coast is tropical with large wood and sugar plantations creating
biomass opportunities
• Electricity produced from biomass is expected to make a relatively small contribution to South Africa’s power capacity by 2030
• Co-generation solutions using biomass to simultaneously generate electricity and supply heat to industrial processes, do
however offer significant potential
• The Minister of Energy has determined 210MW for electricity from biomass and 1,800MW of Cogeneration to be procured
from and installed by Independent Power Producers by 2030
• By mid 2015 electricity from biomass contributed 41.5MW to the portfolio of power plants procured under the Renewable
Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in South Africa

1
Ms. Mokgadi Modise, Chief Director: Clean Energy. 2013. Renewable Energy Resource Assessment in South Africa. Africa CEC session 3_RSA Department of Energy_
Modise_220613
 TECHNOLOGY
STATS
FOR BIOMASS IPP PROJECTS
PARTICIPATING IN THE SOUTH
AFRICA’S REIPPPP

AVERAGE SIZE

20.75 MW
0.33
Mton EMISSION
SAVINGS

98 769 ANNUALLY

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS
POWERED ANNUALLY
328
GWh ENERGY THAT
WILL BE GENERATED

2
ANNUALLY
NUMBER OF
PROJECTS

R2.26 BILLION
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN BIOMASS
PROJECTS COMMITTED TO DATE
(30 JUNE 2015)

TECHNOLOGY PRICE
TREND (R/kWh) 41.50 MW
MW PROCURED
R 1.55
R 1.52

Reflects average price in Apr 2015 terms

BW1 BW2 BW3 BW4

BW - Bid Window REIPPPP - Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme

To find out more go to: www.ipp-projects.co.za