Description

The Viñales sawmill site has successfully implemented a state-of-the-art biomass cogeneration power plant to reduce its carbon footprint, enhance sustainability practices, and contribute to Chile's renewable energy goals. This project focuses on utilizing biomass residues from forestry operations and sawmill activities as a renewable energy source. Sustainability Contributions: 1. Greenhouse Gas Reduction: The project significantly lowers GHG emissions by avoiding the open decay or uncontrolled burning of biomass residues and displacing fossil fuel-based electricity generation. 2. Improved Air Quality: The controlled combustion process in the fluidized bed boiler reduces air pollutants, contributing to healthier air quality in the surrounding region. 3. Energy Independence: The project reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as coal and oil, aligning with Chile's renewable energy targets. 4. Community and Economic Benefits: The Viñales Biomass Power Plant has created local jobs with fair wages above the minimum standard while strengthening the local supply chain by sourcing biomass from regional operations. Key Highlights: - Renewable Energy Generation: The power plant generates electricity and steam using biomass materials such as wood chips, sawdust, and bark, which are byproducts of forestry and sawmill operations. - Advanced Technology: A 210-ton/hour fluidized bed biomass boiler efficiently converts biomass into steam for energy generation. A 41 MW condensing-extracting turbo generator transforms the steam into electricity to meet the sawmill's energy demands and export surplus electricity to the national grid. - Sustainable Emissions Management: By utilizing biomass residues that would otherwise decompose or be burned in open air, the project avoids significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane and CO₂. During the 2021–2023 monitoring period alone, the project reduced 460,837 tCO₂e and has achieved a lifetime reduction of over 1.8 million tCO₂e. - Operational Processes: Comprehensive monitoring and quality assurance systems ensure compliance with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) requirements. Consistent adjustments and recalibrations to monitoring equipment enhance accuracy and ensure reliable reporting of energy generation and emissions reductions. The project also contributes renewable electricity to the national grid, generating 748,545 MWh during the 2021–2023 period. The Viñales Biomass Power Plant exemplifies how industrial operations can integrate innovative renewable energy solutions to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits. By turning biomass waste into clean energy, the Viñales sawmill serves as a model of how businesses can take meaningful steps towards sustainability. Carbon Credits The carbon credits for this project are issued by Verra under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, one of the world’s most widely used GHG crediting programs. Verra’s programs offer comprehensive methodologies and frameworks that support the design and implementation of carbon reduction, sustainable development, and plastic waste reduction projects globally.