IT’S OFFICIAL: Mohamed Nafi (right) and Kho pull a valve to inaugurate the CDM project.

AES AgriVerde’s investment in CDM project at RH Plantation is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 25,512 tonnes annually by reducing the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential 21 times greater than carbon dioxide.

“AES AgriVerde has installed a bio-digester which traps biogas from decaying organic solids,” said Mohamed Nafi Mohd Zin, country manager of AES AgriVerde Services (M) Sdn Bhd.

Nafi said AgriVerde was also responsible for project financing, regulatory management, monitoring and operation of the project.

This scope includes registration of the project by the Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board pursuant to Kyoto Protocol.

Under the agreement, any income from the certified emission reductions (CER) issued to the project will be shared between AgriVerde and RH Plantation.

“This is our first CDM project in Sarawak and we are pleased to team with an exemplary leader like Rimbunan Hijau Plantation which has demonstrated leading-edge commitment in environmental best practices,” he said.

“Rimbunan Hijau’s support has led to rapid and efficient establishment of CDM project.

“Carbon offsets play an important role in the fight against global warming and stimulation of sustainable development.”

AgriVerde began investing in greenhouse gas reduction projects in the late 1980s and is the only company in Malaysia to have 10 CDN projects within one-and-a-half years.

“With more than 50 projects in our regional pipeline, we aim to have several hundred projects completed in the region within the next few years,” said Nafi, adding that AgriVerde planned to invest US$100 million in greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.

AgriVerde is an emerging leader in the long-term production and sale of reduction of greenhouse gas emission generated by livestock farms and palm oil mills.

They are also capable of generating millions of emission reductions or CERs each year by improving waste water systems and capturing the resulting methane gas as a source of renewable energy.

AgriVerde greenhouse gas reduction methodology is approved by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The company targets to achieve annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of 20 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2012.

CDM project was conceived as part of Kyoto Protocol of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) allowing countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment to invest in projects that reduce emissions and mitigate the adverse impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on global warming and climate change.

Countries unable to meet their emission-reduction commitments onshore can, through a transfer of cleaner and more modern technology to a developing country, affect offshore emission reductions and thereby credit all or part of those emission reductions to their own emission inventory in the form of CERs.

As of July 7, 2008 expected average annual CERs from registered projects in 50 host countries total to 218,849,624, while Malaysia will contribute 2,479,529, a mere 1.13 percent, he said.

Meanwhile, Kho Lian Hong, chief operating officer of Rimbunan Hijau Sdn Bhd, said: “The partnership with AES AgriVerde has benefited us on many levels.

“Their expertise in CDM projects has provided a viable solution for the palm oil industry to overcome waste management challenges and an innovative method for renewable energy.

“AES AgriVerde’s contribution has also allowed our palm oil mill to explore new business opportunities while boosting sustainable development.

Borneo Post Online 

EXPANSION: Alex (centre) briefs Dr Chan (right) and Twomey (left) on the campus’ expansion.

“The research is undertaken by the university with grants from Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The pilot plant has been completed and the research ongoing and in the advanced stage,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan who is also chairman of the university’s board of directors.

Dr Chan said the pilot plant was designed by the university’s researchers and they are fine-tuning it.

He said bio-fuel would help reduce Sarawak’s dependence on fossil fuel to generate power.

Bio-fuel was not only environment-friendly but cheap to produce with abundant raw materials available.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with former university vice-chancellor Professor Lance Twomey visiting the campus, Dr Chan said they were looking into expanding the research project.

“What they are trying to do is use the kernel and other parts of the oil palm and convert them into fuel gas and hydrogen which can be used in the industry instead of using fossil gas to power the plant,” he said.

“We could only imagine how much the industry could save (in cost) and they don’t even have to get rid of any part of the palm. All waste could be turned into energy and not pollute environment,” he added.

Dr Chan believed the success of the bio-fuel research project or pilot plant would be cost-saving in terms of energy.

The research will move one step further by expanding to rural areas through other biomass, such as padi husk to generate power while other end-products like ashes can be used as fertilisers.

He said the university was excited about the research which was in line with Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s aspiration and vision to make Miri an educational centre in the state, especially in the northern region.

Dr Chan said they were doing their best to make sure that Curtin was a great success for Sarawak and the focal point of education in this part of the state.

Hence the importance of all higher learning institutions working together to establish an integrated hall of education here.

“It won’t be too long before we call everyone involved in education together and have a special seminar or forum where each one gives ideas and input on what would be best for Miri as an educational hub,” he said.

“With Shell, Petronas and some oil company here, I think it is important that we also take into account their presence here and how we can make use of them, and they can make use of us for mutual benefit. This is something very important that we would like to share with the public,” Dr Chan said.

Twomey meanwhile believed that applied research conducted by Curtin would be useful to Sarawak in particular and Malaysia as a whole.

“I was delighted looking at the work (research) of chemical engineering students on bio-fuel from palm oil waste including manufactured palm oil. They are not only testing the plants but going all the way in their research,” said Twomey.

“This day in higher education, everything is about collaboration and this is a wonderful collaboration between Malaysians and Australians. The research goes to show what could happen when a group of people decide to work together in harmony,” Twomey said.

On the setting of Curtin University in Senadin, he said: “This is a very unique partnership — the only partnership I know between a foreign university and a state government and it has been highly successful. And that’s wonderful to see because there has been a lot of critics at both ends — both in Australia and Sarawak.”

Twomey assured that the quality and standard of courses offered by campuses in Perth and Sarawak were similar.

He said the engineering and hard science offered would be a great tribute to the state and its people.

After the closed door meeting, Dr Chan accompanied Twomey on a tour of the campus.

They were accompanied by Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Lee Kim Shin who is also the chairman of the management board and chief operating officer Alex Chung.

 Borneo Post Online

HOSPITABLE: (From left) Rosey, Gapor, Abu Bakar and Ripin being welcomed with Kedayan traditional music.

Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus said it was important for them to be together under one association to ensure their problems were seen by the government.

Rosey was attending the AGM of Persatuan Kedayan Sibuti last Sunday afternoon. Among those present were Pemanca Abu Bakar Pangis and the association’s Kedayan members from Limbang, Bintulu, Miri and Sibuti.

According to Rosey, the community must enhance rapport among themselves, practise tolerance and be willing to accept change - it’s the secret to success and progress for any community in the state.

She said the Kedayan community was known for being ‘rebellious’ as it had fought against the British colonisation of Sarawak. In fact, the Sarawak governor and government recognised the community for their fighting spirit after Sarawak had joined Malaysia.

A Kedayan herself, Rosey said the fighting spirit shown by their fore fathers had helped to unite the community and enabling it to achieve the success enjoyed today.

She advised the community to work hard for success and avoid any misunderstanding. They should work closely with the government to ensure their community would not be left behind by other races in the country.

“If there are any activities organised by the Kedayan Association, come out and give support or other means,” she said.

She urged the community to support the new line-up of Persatuan Kedayan Sibuti for the 2008-2010 term.

Earlier Persatuan Kedayan Sibuti chairman Ripin Lamat thanked Kedayans in Sibuti for supporting this year’s committee.

He urged Kedayans to work closely with the wakil rakyat and government to help their community.

The Association is a platform for the community to raise issues relating to it, she added.

Borneo Post Online