Biomass Energy in Egypt

Biomass Resource Assessment

 In Egypt the total biomass resources potential reaches
40 million Ton / year.
 The biomass resources contribute more than 3.6
MTOE / year (primary energy).
 Due to the expected applications of the efficient new
modern technologies on the available biomass
resources this contribution effect will be increased in
the future
Biomass Resource Assessment
Status of Biomass Projects in Egypt

 Small-scale(family) biogas plants

 Large-scale biogas plants
 Plant Residues Briquetting Systems
Small-scale biogas plants

 800 small biogas digesters installed in Egypt, less than

50% of them are in operation.
 Approximately 80 new plants are constructed every
year.
 The total potential for small biogas plants in Egypt is
estimated as more than 1 million units.
 Most of the small biogas plants are installed by rural
families.
Small-scale biogas plants benefits and advantages

 The value of the fertilizer is higher, and can replace chemical

fertilizer.
 The gas is a clean fuel that can substitute either burning of straw or
dung, or the use of kerosene or Butanes.
 A number of environmental and social advantages such as:
 Less flies and odor.
 Less in-door pollution from burning wood or dung in the
kitchens.
 Reduce workload for the housewife.
 Easier and more healthy manure handling system.
:Large-Scale Biogas Plants
 On the large-scale level, biogas activities have not moved away
from the laboratory or pilot scale.
 Only few larger plants have been constructed. One of them was a
170 m3 digester in EL-Giza Army Camp.(1980)
 At present there are no activities in Egypt on large scale biogas
plants.
 An important proposal for the success of large biomass projects is
the possibility for selling excess power to the grid.
Plant Residues Briquetting Systems

 Plant residues are considered the most

important traditional fuel in the Egyptian rural
area.
 The biomass laboratories have been equipped
with an advanced briquetting system to convert
plant residues into an alternative solid fuel.
Plant Residues Briquetting Systems
 Converting these residues into briquettes, as an improved solid
fuel is a solution for the following: -

 Improving its physical and combustion properties. (free of insects and

diseases carriers )
 Increasing the efficiency of energy extraction. ( smokeless, cheap and
efficient solid fuel cook stoves )
 Decreasing the negative impacts due to the traditional ways of its
treating, storing and utilization.
 Providing the Egyptian rural area with positive economic,
environmental, development and social impacts.
Large Biogas Plants Barriers
 Information and awareness barriers:
 Lack of communication with the interest groups
regarding environmental work.
 Lack of awareness about the (LBP) economic and
environmental impacts
 Institutional barriers
 Absence of NGOs role
 Lack of co-operation between the involved
institutions and organisations.
Large Biogas Plants Barriers

 Economic and financial barriers

 Competing petroleum products and electricity are
subsidised and available in the countryside.
 The high capital costs of (LBP) with comparison to
other organic waste treatment systems
 There is no economic evaluation for the positive
environmental impact of the (LBP).
 Unavailability of land within the targeted sites.
Large Biogas Plants Barriers
 Technical barriers
 Quality problems with raw material.
 The quick change of animal growing projects activities
 The absence of national developing, adapting and
manufacturing programs for LBP to fit local conditions.
 Lack of local technical experts for design and construction.
 Lack of training facilities.
 Lack of maintenance facilities.
FUTURE PLANS

 Setting up a co-ordinating committee for planning and

implementing an action plan for LBP.
 Strengthening the co-operation between the
concerned ministries, authorities, institutions and
organisations
 Awareness about the necessity of LBP as a source of
clean energy, waste treatment, economic feedback and
environmental & social benefits.
Thank You