KUCHING, Dec 16: Japanese company, Kanematsu Corporation, is looking into the potential of developing a pellet mill in Tanjung Manis given the demand for biomass fuel for power generation.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan emphasised that Kanematsu had registered interest to explore the potential of investing in Sarawak after their visit to meet here in December last year.
“Since then, Kanematsu had conducted numerous visits to Sarawak and worked closely with Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) for an investment feasibility study to evaluate the potential of investing in a pellet mill.
“Today, we had a virtual meeting with the company general manager Yokoshi Makoto to obtain an update on the potential of developing a pellet mill in Tanjung Manis,” he revealed in a statement today.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Development and Entrepreneur Development (Mintred), pointed out that the proposed project was to tap the future potential growth in demand of biomass fuel for power generation.
The Japanese, he said, was targeting to achieve energy mixed with 22 to 24 per cent energy generated from renewable energy by 2030.
“This will create an annual biomass demand for power generation in Japan to about 12 million tonnes by 2030,” he added.
During the meeting, Awang Tengah highlighted the key advantages of Tanjung Manis for pellet production which includes the sustainable supply of raw material from the planted forest, near to raw material sources and market, the port for bulk shipment and readily available industrial land with infrastructures.
He also requested Kanematsu to conduct a complete market study to secure long-term pellet supply from Sarawak to Japan in the future.
“They can also look into the potential of procuring pellets from existing pellet mills in Sarawak to be exported to Japan.
“Sarawak is keen to work with foreign direct investors to further develop the biomass pellet mills to utilise sustainable raw material from planted forests,” he emphasised. -DayakDaily
end with photo:
Awang Tengah (top left frame) together with representatives from STIDC and Tanjung Manis Resources in a meeting with Makoto (top right frame).
